Howard University is renowned for several key attributes and achievements:
- It is a leading institution in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, recognized by the National Science Foundation as the top producer of African-American undergraduates who go on to earn doctoral degrees in science and engineering fields
- The university has nationally ranked programs in social work, business, and communications, and is noted for producing a significant number of African American Ph.D. recipients on campus, more than any other U.S. university
- Howard's College of Medicine is internationally respected for training physicians who serve medically underserved communities and is a national leader in researching health disparities among people of color. It is also one of the top institutions in the U.S. for training women surgeons
- The Howard University School of Law has a long history as an advocate for social justice and has produced influential leaders including the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. It is ranked as the No. 1 law school for African Americans by preLaw magazine
- Founded in 1867, Howard is a private, historically Black research university with a strong commitment to truth and service, reflected in its motto "Veritas et Utilitas"
- The university has produced notable alumni who have become leaders in various fields such as government, civil rights, arts, and sciences, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Nobel laureates, and influential scholars
- Howard is also known for its extensive library system and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, one of the world's largest repositories documenting the history and culture of people of African descent
- The university is recognized for its commitment to social justice, community service, and addressing inequities related to race, social, economic, and political circumstances
Overall, Howard University is distinguished as a prestigious historically Black university with a strong legacy in producing African American professionals and leaders, excelling in STEM, law, medicine, social sciences, and the arts
