The decision follows the recent release of a video showing the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend in a hotel, behaviour that was deemed fundamentally incompatible with the university's core values.
Statement from the university
"The Howard University Board of Trustees today voted unanimously to accept Mr Sean Combs' request to return the honorary degree awarded to him in 2014. "This revokes all honours and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board of Governors has instructed that Combs' name be removed from all documents listing Howard University's honorary degree holders," the statement said.
The university's decision came after Rolling Stone published an article detailing allegations that Combs harassed a girlfriend on campus in the late 1980s.
Combs, a former student at Howard, dropped out after two years in 1990. He was awarded an honorary doctorate and served as commencement speaker in 2014.
Footage of violence in the hotel had emerged
Diddy has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after a video emerged showing him beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel corridor in 2016.
In the video, which is eight years old and recently obtained exclusively by CNN, Combs is seen wearing only socks and a towel while chasing Ventura.