Table of Contents
HBCU colleges have gained a reputation for being among the best in the country. This is due to the fact that the staff and teachers at these schools genuinely care about their students and want them to succeed both personally and professionally.
Because of the unique focus of HBCUs, your college experience will be enriched by the presence of many people from similar backgrounds and cultural experiences. Faculty and fellow students will form a unique community of support and understanding for you.
Now that today’s post covers characteristics of historically black colleges and the scholarship programs they offer, it’s your job to see if one of these HBCU colleges is the best fit for your education.
What are HBCU Colleges?
HBCUs are historically black colleges and universities in the United States that were founded before the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The institutions’ official aim is to ensure that African American students obtain a high-quality education. Also, nationally recognized accrediting institutions and associations must accredit the universities.
Students of all races and ethnicities are accepted at today’s HBCUs. There are over 100 HBCU colleges in the United States, so you can pick the one that best suits your needs.
Famous alumni from HBCUs include Dr. Martin Luther King (Morehouse College), Andrew Young (Dillard University and Howard University), Toni Morrison (Howard University), and Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State University).
What Characteristics Designate a School as HBCU?
Here are five of some of the best characteristics students will find at HBCU colleges:
1. Accept Low-Income, First-Generation College Students
HBCU colleges have one-eighth the endowment of other private institutions in the country, yet they take more low-income and first-generation college students than any other type of university.
These schools achieve this by pushing students to take advantage of Pell Grants and PLUS loans. In addition, the schools offer HBCU-specific scholarships to guarantee that all students have an equal opportunity to receive an education.
2. Confer 22 Percent of All Bachelor Degrees to African Americans
One of the most intriguing aspects of HBCUs is that African Americans receive 22% of all bachelor’s degrees conferred by these universities. Professional degrees, such as engineering, law, and medicine, are the most popular at HBCU colleges.
Students that graduate from a prestigious HBCU go on to get graduate degrees, become influential members of their communities, and stay committed to their industry.
3. Long-Standing History of Community and Public Service
These institutions are well-known for their long history of community service. They are also politically active, spurred on by history and current events to stir debate and raise their voices in support of equality, justice, and truth.
While these schools do not engage in public discussions, they do teach their pupils the importance of giving back to the communities from which they came. In fact, volunteer work is regarded as a mark of quality at HBCU colleges.
4. High Number of Graduates Move into Professional Fields
Graduates of HBCU colleges have a long history of going on to professional jobs and graduate school. It’s no surprise that HBCUs are competitive in fields including engineering, business, academics, and law.
These graduates receive a world-class education as well as the motivation they need to pursue advanced degrees in their fields.
This is reflected in the fact that more than 40% of African American members of Congress, 50% of African American lawyers, and 80% of African American judges are HBCU graduates.
5. Black History and Culture is Part of the Main Curriculum
Few universities in the United States require African American history and culture as part of the core curriculum, but it has never been an issue at HBCU colleges.
Students learn more about America as a whole, good and bad when they experience the country through the eyes of their ancestors. Also, their courses offer up new debating topics.
List of HBCU Colleges Across the U.S. and their Scholarships
Academic requirements, affordability, outcomes, and student assistance were all taken into account while determining the best HBCU colleges. The following school profiles delve into each institution’s history, current successes, and upcoming ventures.
1. Bowie State University
Originally founded in the 1860s as a baptist church offering free teaching classes and later named the Baltimore Normal School for Colored Teachers, Bowie State University is the oldest HBCU in the state of Maryland and among the 10 HBCUs oldest in the country.
Bowie State has been considered a leading producer of African American graduates with degrees in STEM fields. Students seeking a STEM-centered education can choose from degrees in fields like computer science, mathematics, military science, and biology.
Bowie State University offers an array of scholarships – each with its own set criteria for consideration. Some examples of BSU scholarships are merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students, transfer students, and students from the honors programs.
2. Delaware State University
Originally founded as the Delaware School for Colored Students in 1891, this HBCU institution currently enrolls 4,600 students and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16-to-1. In addition to the main Dover campus, DSU operates satellite campuses in two other Delaware cities, Georgetown and Wilmington.
The university’s most popular major fields of study include accounting, mass communications, movement science, management, and psychology. Additionally, the university offers a unique Africana Studies minor that includes coursework in African American history, literature, and politics.
DSU is considered a top school for undocumented immigrant students who have received educational assistance from the Opportunity Scholarship Program. The university enrolls nearly 50 Opportunity Scholarship students and was one of two schools nationwide to accept applications from these scholarship recipients.
In addition to financial assistance for dreamers, other DSU scholarships include the Inspire Scholarship and scholarships for incoming freshmen.
3. Fayetteville State University
Originally part of the Howard School proposed by the Freedmen’s Bureau, this North Carolina HBCU opened its doors in 1877 as the first state-sponsored teaching college for African American educators.
Fayetteville State is the top producer of African American graduates in the state of North Carolina, though 25% of the university’s diverse student body identify as non-African American.
The university has a history of supporting students in the military, and today offers online programs tailored to military personnel in fields like sociology, fire science, and business administration.
Fayetteville State University and external agencies offer an array of FSU scholarships to assist students with their educational expenses like Chancellor’s Special Talent Scholarship and Dr. Valeria Fleming STEM Scholarship.
4. Florida A&M University
FAMU was founded as the State Normal College for Colored Students in 1887 and began classes with 15 students and two instructors. The university enrolls nearly 10,000 students from more than 70 countries, including several African and Caribbean nations.
FAMU is the largest among historically black colleges and universities in the state of Florida. The university offers undergraduate and graduates degrees through its School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Fields of study include agribusiness, plant science, entomology, and soil and water.
The university provides a wide range of FAMU scholarships for both current and incoming students, such as the Life-Gets-Better and Thurgood Marshall Programs.
5. Hampton University
Hampton University is a comprehensive historically black university offering degree programs ranging from associate’s degrees to doctoral degrees. The school ranks #3 in the US News and World Reports list of best historically black colleges and universities and is regionally ranked #18 across all Southern universities.
It is home to 4,646 students from 49 different states and 35 nations and territories. Hampton boasts the lowest student to faculty ratio in this ranking at 9:1. Notable alumni include Martin Luther King Jr.’s mother Alberta Williams King as well as Booker T. Washington.
Hampton University offers a variety of academic scholarships and need-based grants, as well as educational grant awards from other states’ higher-education agencies. Some examples of Hampton U scholarships are the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant and PLUS Loan.
6. Howard University
Howard University is a top historically black university as well as a private high research activity institution of higher education. The university is comprised of 13 different schools and colleges and offers degree programs in over 120 academic fields of study.
Howard is a leader in STEM fields and produces more African American doctoral graduates in the fields of science and engineering than almost any other university in the country. It ranks #2 in US News & World Report’s list of best historically black colleges and universities.
Just like other HBCU colleges, Howard University also provides many scholarship opportunities for its deserving students. Some of the most sought-after Howard scholarships are the Howard University Freshman Scholarships and the Howard University Leadership Scholarships.
7. Morgan State University
Morgan State University is a top HBCU located in northeast Baltimore City. The school is a comprehensive public university offering a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctoral programs with a particular emphasis on the arts and sciences at the undergraduate level.
Popular majors include business, management, marketing, and engineering. US News & World Report ranks the school #20 on its list of top historically black colleges and universities, and the school continually ranks high in terms of the number of doctoral degrees awarded to African Americans.
Among many MSU scholarships are include Honors Scholarships, Athletic Grants, and Maryland Higher Education Commission Scholarships.
8. Oakwood University
Established by Seventh-Day Adventists in 1896 to provide educational opportunities for freed slaves, Oakwood University is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.
The university was accredited as a junior college in 1943, and 15 years later received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) as a provider of associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Undergraduates can choose from 58-degree pathways, including faith-based fields like pastoral care and pre-chaplaincy, ministerial theology, and religious education. The university also offers an extensive number of bachelor’s programs grounded in STEM and healthcare fields.
Students entering Oakwood University can apply to these Oakwood scholarships: Oakwood University First Time Freshmen Scholarships, Seventh-Day Adventist Church Scholarships, and My Road to Graduation Scholarship.
9. Prairie View A&M University
A land grant HBCU established in 1876, Prairie View A&M University is the second oldest public institution of higher education in the United States. The school offers 50 undergraduate majors, 37 master’s degree programs, and 3 doctoral programs.
Popular majors include engineering, nursing, and education. Undergraduate enrollment totals nearly 7,000 and graduate enrollment is almost 2,000. US News and World Report ranked Prairie View A&M #30 in their list of best HBCU colleges.
Prairie View A&M University offers a number of PVAMU scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and continuing students that show promise through academics, leadership, and/or community involvement.
10. Southern University and A&M College
Southern University and A&M College is a top HBCU offering a wide range of academic programs on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. US News & World Report ranks it #40 in its publication of best historically black colleges and universities.
Enrolled students can choose from among 30 baccalaureate majors and 22 master’s degree programs, including popular majors such as business, management, marketing, homeland security, engineering, and psychology.
Southern University and A&M College provides many resources for current and prospective students seeking scholarship funding. Some of the famous SU scholarships are departmental scholarships and the Dolores Margaret Richard Spikies Honor College Scholarship.
11. Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a top historically black university located just outside of downtown Nashville. Its 7,264 undergraduate students have over 40 undergraduate majors to choose from, and graduate students can pursue one of 24 master’s degree programs or 7 doctoral programs.
Students also enjoy an active student life with over 100 different student organizations on campus. Notable alumni from Tennessee State include Oprah Winfrey and track and field star Wilma Randolph. The school ranks #22 on US News & World Report’s list of best HBCU colleges.
Many of Tennessee State University’s colleges and academic departments offer TSU scholarships for prospective and continuing students who have met academic requirements for their respective majors.
12. Winston-Salem State University
Founded in 1892 as a teaching academy for African Americans, Winston-Salem State University leads all UNC constituent schools for graduate job placement and the average salary for graduates in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina.
Additionally, WSSU is the largest producer of black graduates in the fields of nursing, health professions, and education. Also, WSSU is the only HBCU to offer a bachelor’s degree in the field of motorsport management, as well.
WSSU offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree and certification programs. Most of these pathways are concentrated in the university’s College of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education.
In addition to offering WSSU Merit Scholarships, the university also collaborates with many external parties to provide scholarship funding.
FAQs
What is the #1 HBCU in the country? ›
FAMU maintains top-ranked public HBCU standing nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Florida A&M University is edging closer to adding another “100” to its national brand. The much-anticipated U.S. News & World Report's “Best Colleges 2023” guidebook released Monday shows FAMU ranked No.
What is the top 10 HBCUs? ›Among the other institutions sitting in the top ten ranking of HBCUs are Howard University, Tuskegee University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Hampton University, Delaware State University. Claflin University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University tied in the last two spots of the top ten.
What HBCU is 90% white? ›It opened in the late 19th century as the Bluefield Colored Institute, created to educate the children of black coal miners in segregated West Virginia. Although it still receives the federal funding that comes with its designation as a historically black institution, today Bluefield State College is 90 percent white.
What is the easiest HBCU to get into? ›HBCUs with high Acceptance rates include Miles College, Langston University, and Morris College. These schools have an acceptance rate of 100%. Others with acceptance rates of 90% and above are Jackson State University, Virginia State University, Bluefield State College, etc.
What HBCU offer scholarships? ›- 5 Strong Scholarship.
- Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program.
- UNCF Stem Scholarship.
- Microsoft Scholarship Program.
- UNCF/Koch Undergraduate Scholars Program.
- Toyota/UNCF Scholarship.
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholarship.
- James M. & Erma T.
That includes Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in 1854, the first HBCU granting college degrees, the Wilberforce University in 1856, the first college run by African Americans, and Harris-Stowe State University in 1857, which focused on teaching and education courses.
Which HBCU has the nicest campus? ›...
Which HBCU Has the Best Campus?
| RANK | SCHOOL | CAMPUS SIZE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spelman College | 39 acres |
| 2 | Howard University | 257 acres |
| 3 | North Carolina Central University | 135 acres |
| 4 | Hampton University | 314 acres |
The top 10 Best HBCUs (in order) are: Spelman College, Howard University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, West Virginia State University, North Carolina, A&T University, Grambling State University, Savannah State University, Southern State University and A&M College, Jackson State University and Norfolk ...
Is Bringston university a real school? ›Bringston University is one of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, where Black excellence is a way of life. The university is located in Atlanta, Georgia and known for its elite sports teams.
What is the largest HBCU school? ›North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina A&T in Greensboro has been the largest four-year HBCU by enrollment since 2014. Its student body continued to grow during COVID-19, with over 14,000 students enrolled throughout the 2020-21 school year, according to data from IPEDS.
Which state has the most HBCU? ›
Alabama is the state with the most HBCUs, topping out at 14 institutions. North Carolina, however, is the state in which the most black HBCU undergraduate students are enrolled.
Who owns HBCU? ›Which HBCUs are Black-owned? Public schools and non-profit private schools do not have owners. They are typically held in trusts that are overseen by governing boards. For-profit private schools have owners, but none of the 51 private HBCUs is a for-profit school, as the NCES reported.
What is the Harvard of HBCUs? ›Howard University is known as the Harvard of HBCUs. It has the most selective admissions standards of any HBCU and the highest endowment, valued at nearly $800 million as of 2021.
What is the least expensive HBCU? ›| Most — and least — affordable HBCUs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | HBCU | Net cost |
| 1 | Coahoma Community College | $1,004 |
| 2 | Elizabeth City State University | $2,350 |
| 3 | Simmons College of Kentucky | $3,394 |
Institute, West Virginia. West Virginia State University was established in 1891. Established in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, West Virginia State University is an HBCU and the smallest land-grant institution in the country.
How do you get a full ride scholarship to a HBCU? ›What GPA do you need to get a full-ride scholarship? Most full-ride scholarships require a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. However, many programs consider additional criteria, such as class rank and standardized test scores.
Are all HBCUs D1? ›Yes, there are D1 HBCUs. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference are home to all Division 1 HBCUs, except for Hampton University and Tennessee State University.
Why are HBCUs struggling? ›Nationwide, 75% of students at HBCUs are Pell Grant recipients. Despite the important role they continue to play, many HBCUs struggle with lack of investment, dwindling enrollment and — most recently — fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is the richest HBCU? ›- Howard University – $795,203 (11.6%)
- Spelman College – $530,399 (40.3%)
- Hampton University – $379,992 (35.4%)
- Morehouse College – $278,073 (77.0%)
- Meharry Medical College – $186,943 (19.3%)
- North Carolina A&T State University – $157,336 (113.2%)
- Florida A&M University – $118,635 (24.4%)
The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with the best dorms is Fort Valley State University located in Fort Valley, Georgia. Founded in 1895, Fort Valley State University is a public institution with a strong history of the education of black Americans.
What is the largest private HBCU? ›
Howard University in Washington, D.C. is the nation's largest private HBCU. Howard offers over 120 subjects for you to study. Graduate programs at Howard include law, dentistry, medicine, engineering and divinity. The school boasts that it produces more African-American on-campus Ph.
Who is the youngest HBCU? ›(Spelman College and Morris Brown were founded in 1881.) The “youngest” four-year HBCU, a designation to mark schools founded before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community, is the University of Virgin Islands, which opened in 1962. Schools founded after 1964, like the Charles R.
What is the newest HBCU? ›American Baptist College in Nashville has applied for designation and been accepted by the U.S. Department of education as a historically Black college and university. The college is now the 106th higher educational institution in the country to hold the designation.
What is the oldest HBCU in the South? ›Atlanta University – now Clark Atlanta University – was founded on September 19, 1865, as the first HBCU in the Southern United States.
Which HBCU has the best homecoming? ›North Carolina A&T University of Greensboro, NC is known as “the greatest homecoming on earth.” If you go to an HBCU, your school pride will definitely make you beg to differ about it being “the greatest homecoming on earth,” but let's be real… you and I both know for a fact that it is indeed pretty close.
Which HBCU has the best science program? ›Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University tops our list because of their impressive number of students earning a bachelor's degree in STEM every year, their rigorous program, and their strong commitment to supporting students in STEM.
The best literature program in the United States is offered by Howard University. That HBCU school has an excellent literature program evaluated with five stars for curriculum and five stars for teaching also.
Are there any black Ivy League schools? ›There are, in fact, Black Ivy League colleges. They are Spelman College and Morehouse College.
What is the all black college called? ›Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions that were established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating Black Americans (source).
Is Emory the Harvard of the South? ›There are a lot of similarities between Emory and Vanderbilt: they're both highly ranked (each is in the top 25 of in the U.S. News ranking of national universities), both are located in great cities, and both claim the title of “Harvard of the South.”
Which HBCU is best for engineering? ›
The best engineering program in the United States is offered by Howard University. That HBCU school has an excellent engineering program: five-star rating for curriculum and five-star rating for teaching.
What is the #1 HBCU in Georgia? ›1. Spelman College. Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. This school enrolls about 2,500 students every year.
Which HBCU has the best football team? ›1. Jackson State | SWAC | 12-2 | Prev: 3. Jackson State enters the 2022 HBCU football season as the top-ranked team.
What are the 4 HBCU in Atlanta? ›The Atlanta University Center (AUC) is a consortium of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)—Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College.
What are the six HBCUs in Atlanta? ›- Clark Atlanta University.
- Interdenominational Theological Center. ...
- Morehouse College. ...
- Morehouse School of Medicine. ...
- Morris Brown College.
- Spelman College.
El Camino College will be serving as the set for filming production on the CW show 'All American' after being spotted on campus Thursday, March 17.
Which three states have the most HBCUs? ›Alabama leads the nation with the number of HBCUs, followed by North Carolina, then Georgia.
What HBCU was founded by black? ›During the 1850s, three more HBCUs were founded: Miner Normal School (1851) in Washington, D.C.; Lincoln University (1854) in Pennsylvania; and Wilberforce (1856) in Ohio. The African Methodist Episcopal Church established Wilberforce University, the first HBCU operated by African Americans.
What is the oldest HBCU in Alabama? ›Alabama State University in Montgomery is the first HBCU in the state, founded just two years after the Civil War in 1867. These institutions were created to offer higher education to Black people.
Can a white person go to a HBCU? ›Students of any race and ethnicity can apply for an HBCU, provided that they meet the grade requirements. Usually when applying for university in the US, you're required to fill out one application per school.
What is the oldest HBCU in Florida? ›
Established in 1866 to educate freed slaves, Edward Waters College is Florida's oldest HBCU.
How many HBCUs exist? ›There are 107 colleges in the United States that are identified by the US Department of Education as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
How many HBCU are in Florida? ›The majority of HBCUs in the United States reside in the southern states. Florida, the Sunshine State, houses four accredited HBCUs that strive to provide top-level education to its students.
Why are HBCU better for black students? ›BPS data also reveal that Black students at HBCUs are more likely to receive Pell grants, more likely to have a high school grade point average under 2.5, and less likely to have taken any advanced placement courses in high school.
› hbcu-colleges ›HBCU Rankings | Historically Black Colleges and Universities ...
Official List of HBCUs - Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Largest HBCU in the Nation: Top 10 Black Colleges by Enrollment
Many HBCUs offer partial and full scholarships to enrolled students. Learners should inquire about these institutional scholarships when applying to college.
How do I get a full scholarship to FAMU? ›Have a 3.5 FAMU recalculated GPA or better(pursuant to F.S. 6.002 and 1003.437) Earn a minimum score of 76 on the ALEKS Math exam for Engineering, Physical, Life, Natural and Computer Sciences majors. All others must earn at least a 61 on the ALEKS Math exam. Be college-ready (no remediation or remedial courses)
What is the best HBCU? ›Florida A&M University
As a land-grant institution, Florida A&M was built on agriculture and technology, and that heritage has made Florida A&M the nation's top HBCU for research, according to the National Science Foundation. FAMU is also ranked the top public HBCU in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Currently, 107 HBCUs serve more than 228,000 students throughout the country. These schools operate as both public and private entities.
What GPA is needed for HBCU? ›What GPA do you need to get into an HBCU? The typical GPAs for students accepted into many HBCUs schools range from 2.5-3.0. Other HBCUs may require higher GPAs. For example, students accepted at Hampton University and Florida A&M had average GPAs above 3.25.
What SAT score is required for HBCU colleges? ›
Average admissions requirements across all 105 HBCUs—including public and private schools and two- year colleges—are a 2.5 GPA and an 18 on the ACT or a 905 on the SAT (Montgomery County Public Schools, 2014). Seventy-five percent of all HBCUs have a minimum standardized test score requirement.
Are all HBCUs D1? ›Yes, there are D1 HBCUs. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference are home to all Division 1 HBCUs, except for Hampton University and Tennessee State University.
What ACT score is needed for a full ride to FAMU? ›Criteria. The President's Special Scholarship recipient must have an academic high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The recipient must have at least an SAT score of 1000 or at least an ACT score of 20.
What scholarships does Florida A&M offer? ›- Adopted High School.
- Distinguished Scholars Award.
- Elizabeth Benacquisto Scholarship.
- Florida Community College.
- George W. Gore.
- President Special Scholarship.
- Army ROTC Room and Board Scholarship.
- Naval ROTC Room and Board Scholarship.
The Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) was introduced by the Congress-led UPA government in 2011 to provide funding to 5,000 meritorious students each year to study in private and government educational institutions across the country.
What were the first 3 HBCUs? ›That includes Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in 1854, the first HBCU granting college degrees, the Wilberforce University in 1856, the first college run by African Americans, and Harris-Stowe State University in 1857, which focused on teaching and education courses.
Which HBCU has the nicest campus? ›...
Which HBCU Has the Best Campus?
| RANK | SCHOOL | CAMPUS SIZE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spelman College | 39 acres |
| 2 | Howard University | 257 acres |
| 3 | North Carolina Central University | 135 acres |
| 4 | Hampton University | 314 acres |
Institute, West Virginia. West Virginia State University was established in 1891. Established in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, West Virginia State University is an HBCU and the smallest land-grant institution in the country.
What is the least expensive HBCU? ›| Most — and least — affordable HBCUs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | HBCU | Net cost |
| 1 | Coahoma Community College | $1,004 |
| 2 | Elizabeth City State University | $2,350 |
| 3 | Simmons College of Kentucky | $3,394 |
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina A&T in Greensboro has been the largest four-year HBCU by enrollment since 2014. Its student body continued to grow during COVID-19, with over 14,000 students enrolled throughout the 2020-21 school year, according to data from IPEDS.
