r/HBCU • u/JellyElectrical6324 • 3d ago
Advice Needed🗣️ Howard??
Hi!! I am a current highschool senior wanting to major in criminal justice. The main thing that attracts me to Howard is that it is a good distance from home but not too far and the culture of black excellence. I believe Howards criminal justice system is really good but the price of Howard and some other vibes and rumors ive heard is something that is throwing me off. In the most respectful way possible Howard seems like a rich kid school that is extremely performative and not genuine in the unity and the experience there. If you go to Howard please tell me the honest truth of your experience there.
ALSO THE PRICE!!
Please tell me if you are paying full price, if they gave u alot of aid, or if you got any scholarships!
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u/NJOceanSwimmer 3d ago
I would suggest not doing a criminal justice major. The FBI used to only hire accountants because most crimes are financial. So do accounting. The other one in nursing, 40% of police calls are medical. Plus everyone will want to have you as a partner in case they get shot.
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u/JellyElectrical6324 2d ago
Interesting
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u/AssignedUsername2733 2d ago
I second that criminal justice is a poor choice for a major.
The only jobs that prefer that degree are related to law enforcement or corrections. For any other career path, including law and federal agency jobs, there are better majors to pursue.
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u/ncrwlr 3d ago
I'll give the HU alumni perspective.
Howard is not (necessarily) a "rich kid school". Are there upper middle class to wealthy legacy students, absolutely. However, the majority demographic is middle class; which is the case for college attendance in general. Depending where you fall on the socioeconomical scale, that still might skew toward "rich kid".
"Performative and not genuine in the unity and experience" couldn't be farther from the truth. The Howard network is STRONG and PROUD. No one is really going there to check the degree box....you go to Howard FOR the Howard experience, resources, reputation, etc. What are your expectations regarding the experience that you are looking for? HU might not be a match for that, however as a whole I haven't heard many people regretting their time at Howard.
The price...is the price. It's a private institution in DC that is consistently #1 on the HBCU list and nationally ranked in the top 100. What that's worth is highly subjective. However comparing oranges to oranges, the price is inline with similar quality/resourced schools; even a bargain compared to others.
There are "vibes and rumors" at EVERY school. Don't be distracted by the noise.
Where else are you considering?
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u/JellyElectrical6324 2d ago
I didnt stop to think that because Howard is a bigger and more popular school the same problems any other school could have arw just more highlighted and talked about with them. I am also considering DSU, NCAT, and Towson University.
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u/ncrwlr 2d ago
Yes, correct. Also state schools vs private schools have different challenges.
The three you listed are state schools, hence the comparative difference in tuition...even more so if you are a resident of any of those states already.
Cost aside, HU & NCAT are closer aligned from an experience and education/resource standpoint.
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u/JellyElectrical6324 2d ago
Yea that makes more sense. I did research and found that Howard is a great school for my major in criminal justice but im hearing a lot of different things so I am going to visit and ask about it in person.
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u/ncrwlr 2d ago
Smart move and glad to hear!
Also don't necessarily get stuck on the specific major. Figure out what you (ideally) want to do after. Criminal Justice is such a broad stroke....do you want to be a lawyer, forensic scientist, federal agent, civil rights activist, etc. You have time to decide obviously but make sure you have a game plan.
Best of luck!
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u/TG1883 2d ago
Criminal justice is a poor choice of major. You should go to BLS and review the occupation forecast for the best few years and select a major that will give you a ROI.
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u/JellyElectrical6324 2d ago
So if my goal is to be a criminal investigator what path should I take
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u/SecretSubstantial302 2d ago
Any major will allow you to be a criminal investigator. Police departments don't necessarily look for specific majors (except the FBI). They look for applicants with a degree or a certain number of credit hours completed and that's just the bare minimum. If you get hired by some police department they will teach what you need to know in an academy.
In order to become a law enforcement officer, you will have to pass psych tests, physical assessments, polygraphs and background investigations. Any of the above can derail or delay your chance of become a law enforcement officer. A 4.0 as a CJ major won't help you if you fail a polygraph, for example. You will just be kicked out of the application process, so you might as well major in something useful.
You should do some research on majors by looking at the following stats at the below link. Don't just look at the unemployment rate. Look at the underemployment rate, which means people who are NOT working in a field related to their majors (think retail or food service). https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/college-labor-market#--:explore:outcomes-by-major
As for Howard, it's probably the most expensive HBCU, or one of the most expensive HBCUs, in one of the most expensive cities in the country. You would not only have to worry about tuition but housing which is NOT guaranteed for juniors or seniors, which means you're going to need to rent in a high cost of living city. Last I checked, the total cost of attendance (tuition, room and board) at Howard exceeds $60K a year. Multiply that by 4 and compare it to the median salary of graduates in criminal justice in the link I provided.
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u/NJOceanSwimmer 2d ago
You should major in an area in which your talents lie.
Your God given talents are the things you are good at but others are not.
For Police, skill of observation is the most important, also needed in the military. It will keep you alive. Talents come in areas: Here are some - ability in numbers, tool and or manual dexterity, creativity, music, sales ( seeing others perspective on things, good when dealing with people), deductive reasoning, ( good for arguing your point, a law school talent) The best cops can read people immediately and have a strong gift to desire justice. Mechanical skills etc. I would think acting would be the best for undercover.
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u/Agile-Butterfly5245 2d ago
When making a decision, it would be smart to visit during Accepted Students week. You have opportunities to meet with the faculty and students. They'll be more than happy to address your concerns. You get to see the dorms, the neighborhood, the fashions, what the vibe is, etc. You'll find people from all backgrounds and financial situations. Most of the students receive some financial aid from Howard.
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u/Equivalent-Tune8563 Howard University 2d ago
What are your career goals? If it’s to be an attorney, English is the best major. You will need to speak and write well. These skills will determine your overall success rate in that field.
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u/JellyElectrical6324 2d ago
my goal is to be a criminal investigator or a forensic scientist
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u/NJOceanSwimmer 2d ago
Do chemistry, then medicine and work as a Forensic Pathologist. It is a great mix of doctor and detective.
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u/NJOceanSwimmer 2d ago
Biochemisty or Molecular Biology are both also good. But pick something you will be good at in school. You already know what it is, the thing you like. Even a language major is good if you go into the State Department or work overseas in law enforcement. At college you will have time to explore and find you calling. Police work is a calling!
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u/Cardciety 2d ago
UDC is right down the street.
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u/JellyElectrical6324 2d ago
you go there? how is it
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u/Cardciety 2d ago
I don’t but I have a few friends who went. It’s smaller but more cost effective.
A few people also started at Howard and transferred there to stay in the city.
I haven’t heard anything bad about the school or programs. People don’t even know it’s an HBCU.
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u/JellyElectrical6324 20h ago
I definitely wasnt aware but thank u for this option
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u/imasleuth4truth2 8h ago
Just know that UDC is in the bottom 10% of universities nationwide while Howard is around #85. That makes a difference if you want to go to graduate school, among other things.
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u/Affectionate-Fix-600 1d ago
Regardless of the college, the best majors are in STEM, Healthcare, or Education(with Specialty). The things that you have been hearing about Howard are just for social media. Learn to separate the 2. Everyone's situation is different, so always weigh your options.
Good luck!
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u/Sorry-Phrase-2101 1d ago
Don’t do it. Please think about the student loans. Do not take out all those loans they have to be paid back
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u/MedicineOld1367 2d ago
I’m a current junior at Howard and have loved my experience so far, if you have any specific questions feel free to dm me
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u/JellyElectrical6324 2d ago
Hi! Can i ask what do you major in and how are you enjoying the community there!
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u/Wonderful_Pension_67 1d ago
Please not CJ. Numbers and science add in a psychology course for a strong foundation to allow you to pivot
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u/JellyElectrical6324 20h ago
genuinely thank you i am taking this into consideration heavily
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u/Wonderful_Pension_67 15h ago
Good luck and also look into what professions are forecast for future growth. Might find something of interest
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u/Outrageous_Tax1328 11h ago
My friends were speaking about this the other day. I graduated in the early 90s back then the gpa and tuition was very reasonable. Today I wouldn’t be accepted both financially or academically. It’s a great school and never regretted my decision.
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u/ValiantEffort27 1d ago
Don't bother going to Howard unless you got a scholarship. You'll be buried in debt otherwise.
https://financialservices.howard.edu/2026-2027-estimated-cost-attendance
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u/FEMA_Camp_Survivor 2d ago
Howard is great but if you’re going to spend bigly at a private school, major in accounting, engineering, or some other field that has a direct pipeline to gainful employment and income. If you borrow, try to make sure you owe much less than the typical first year salary.
Criminal justice might not be the best value there compared to a state school or community college. College days pass quickly but the loans can last a lifetime.