10 Best HBCUs in the U.S. (2024 Rankings)

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a profound and culturally significant legacy within the United States. Throughout their existence, HBCUs have played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape, even in the face of historical challenges. These institutions have remained steadfast in their dedication to equipping black students with the tools they need for success in both their professional endeavors and personal lives.

In this article, we offer an HBCU ranking in no particular order. Our spotlight will encompass some of America's most esteemed HBCUs located in Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, and other states (in no particular order). Our intention is to provide you with valuable insights to assist you in your pursuit of higher education options.

Howard University

Location: Washington, D.C.

Acceptance rate: 35% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 8,964

Average tuition: $28,916

Six-year graduation rate: 64% 

Founded in 1867, Howard University includes 14 schools and colleges and offers its student body the choice of 143 different programs of study. In the past, Howard has produced over 165 Fulbright recipients, as well as numerous other award winners. 

Howard is also the No. 1 producer of on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients in the entire United States. Howard's STEM program is highly regarded, and the College of Medicine is well-respected throughout the world. 

The school of law, which ranks as the No. 1 law school for African-American students by PreLaw Magazine, is a strong advocate for social justice and positive change. The school's proximity to Washington, D.C. also allows students a chance to explore one of the nation's largest and most diverse cities. Plus, Howard is known as a top party school among HBCUs.

Morehouse College

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Acceptance rate: 65% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,554

Average tuition: $29,468 

Six-year graduation rate: 47% 

Morehouse College was founded in 1867. Since then, the men's HBCU has taught Rhodes scholars, congressmen, and notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Spike Lee. The school was originally called Atlanta Baptist College but changed its name to Morehouse College in 1913 to honor Henry Lyman Morehouse. 

Morehouse's purpose is to teach men to live lives of consequence with a missional mindset. College students can choose from over 30 different majors, such as business administration, psychology, sociology, and biology degrees, with nearly 60% of courses taught by tenured professors with doctoral degrees. 

Morehouse also provides a robust student life experience through athletics, recreation, and 50 different student organizations. 

Hampton University

Location: Hampton, Virginia

Acceptance rate: 80% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,867 

Average tuition: $29,312

Six-year graduation rate: 57% 

Hampton University opened in 1868. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, a captain for the Union Army in the Civil War, helped to start the school while working with the Freedmen's Bureau. Armstrong played a key role in training Booker T. Washington, who arrived at the school in 1872. Later, Washington would start his own HBCU in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Hampton's history runs deep, but they have their sights set on the future. The progressive liberal arts school has students representing 49 of the 50 U.S. states as well as 35 nations and territories. They offer 80 different academic programs, including engineering, journalism, and communications. When you're not in class, you can get involved with one of Hampton's 55 different student organizations. 

Spelman College

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Acceptance rate: 51% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,417

Average tuition: $28,181

Six-year graduation rate: 76% 

Spelman College is a women's HBCU that opened in 1881 as Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. The school became Spelman College in 1924, and today features students from 43 states and 10 countries. The school's overarching purpose is to inspire students to commit to service and powerful social change. They equip students to pursue excellence through intellectual, ethical, and leadership development.

Spelman College currently offers 36 different majors and 31 minors. These programs range across 18 different fields of study. While many students major in biology or psychology, other popular programs include political science, health services, and English literature. Spelman's student affairs office also provides students with more than 30 different programs and experiences to enrich their lives outside of the classroom.

Tuskegee University

Location: Tuskegee, Alabama

Acceptance rate: 34% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,184

Average tuition: $22,614

Six-year graduation rate: 57% 

As we alluded to when talking about Hampton University, Tuskegee University was founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881 after he trained under Samuel Chapman Armstrong. Since its inception, Tuskegee has worked hard to highlight the relationship between education and workforce preparation. The school continues to emphasize a strong foundation in liberal arts as the starting point for success in any career.  

Tuskegee's campus sits on 5,000 forested acres and includes over 100 different buildings and structures. The college is the only HBCU located on a designated National Historic Site. Students can choose between more than 68 degree programs, and they can get involved on campus through intramural sports, Greek life, the royal court, or the Council of National Service Organizations (CONSO). 

North Carolina A&T State University

Location: Greensboro, North Carolina

Acceptance rate: 57% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 11,596

In-state tuition: $6,733

Out-of-state tuition: $20,243

Six-year graduation rate: 53% 

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University - the HBCU with the largest student enrollment - has been equipping students to change the world for the last 132 years. North Carolina A&T State students have gone on to serve in Congress, lead the charge in Silicon Valley, and run the farms that bring food to people across the state of North Carolina and the entire region. 

The median starting salary for North Carolina A&T graduates is $54,900 after three years, which is among the highest starting salaries for graduates of any HBCU. While in school, students can pick between 117 different majors and 29 different minors. 

Their kinesiology program is especially popular, but many students will also choose programs like engineering and business. Students can also jump into one of the school's 120 student clubs and organizations and participate in club sports like basketball and volleyball. 

Xavier University of Louisiana

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Acceptance rate: 95% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,755 

Average tuition: $26,398

Six-year graduation rate: 50% 

Xavier University of Louisiana is the only Catholic HBCU in the country. The school recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015. Mother Katharine Drexel opened a high school on the same site previously occupied by Southern University in 1915. The school became Xavier University of Louisiana 10 years later when it added a College of Liberal Arts and Science and awarded its first degrees to students around three years later. Drexel was later canonized as a Roman Catholic Saint by Pope John Paul II in 2000. 

Xavier is a national leader in STEM and health sciences. They also have a strong pharmacy school that is one of the top producers of African-American pharmacy students in the country. In total, students can choose from 90 different majors and 90 minors as they plan out their studies and think about the careers they want to pursue after graduation. Outside of class, students can dive into various clubs and special interest organizations to explore their passions and connect with students who have similar interests. 

Fisk University

Location: Nashville, Tennessee 

Acceptance rate: 61% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 914 

Average tuition: $22,906

Six-year graduation rate: 46% 

Fisk University is the sixth-oldest HBCU in the country and the oldest college in the city of Nashville. Their strong liberal arts curriculum helps prepare students with the intellect and integrity necessary to make a strong impact on society. The idea for the school was born a mere six months after the conclusion of the Civil War when John Ogden, Reverend Erastus Milo Cravath, and Reverend Edward P. Smith decided to establish the school together. The first classes took place on January 9, 1866, with students ranging in age from seven to 70 years old. 

Fisk is only five minutes away from downtown Nashville, and the city's public transportation system makes it easy for students to conveniently make their way around town. The school offers strong science programs with over 20 undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and clinical psychology. They also partner with nearby Vanderbilt University to provide a bridge program for students who want to pursue doctoral degrees after obtaining their master's.

Jackson State University

Location: Jackson, Mississippi

Acceptance rate: 62% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,763 

In-state tuition: $8,445 

Out-of-state tuition: $9,445 

Six-year graduation rate: 39% 

Jackson State University is passionate about raising up leaders who will use their transformative ideas to further advance society. The school can trace its roots back to 1877 when the American Baptist Home Mission Society decided to establish a school to aid in the "moral, religious, and intellectual improvement" of young black Christian leaders. 

The school was located in Natchez, Mississippi, for five years before moving to Jackson in 1882. Seven years later, it expanded its curriculum and officially became Jackson College. 

Today, the school works hard to help students grow personally and professionally. They train students both inside and outside the classroom through their fully integrated learning initiatives. Students can pick from 44 bachelor's degree programs offered through five different colleges. In addition, their vibrant campus life program oversees more than 130 different clubs, student leadership groups, and study abroad programs. 

Morgan State University

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Acceptance rate: 87% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 7,034

In-state tuition: $8,008

Out-of-state tuition: $18,479

Six-year graduation rate: 44% 

Morgan State University was founded in 1867 by the Centenary Biblical Institute, an organization led by the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The original purpose of the school was to train young men for ministry. Soon after, the school expanded its purpose to include teaching men and women as teachers. The school moved to its current site in 1917, two years after Andrew Carnegie provided a $50,000 grant to build a new central academic building. 

The school is the largest HBCU in Maryland, with more than 140 different academic programs for students to choose from. The school's campus spreads out across 185 acres near Baltimore on a site designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since the school was first established over 150 years ago, over 55,000 students have graduated and gone on to successful careers in the United States and beyond. 

Honorable mentions

We can't write a list of the best HBCUs without mentioning a few additional schools as well. Here are a few more of the best colleges for you to consider. 

• Bowie State University (Bowie, Maryland)
• Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina)
• Delaware State University (Dover, Delaware)
• Dillard University (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• North Carolina Central University (Durham, North Carolina)
• Winston-Salem State University (Winston-Salem, NorthCarolina)
• Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
• Florida A&M University (FAMU - Tallahassee, Florida)
• Tougaloo College (Tougaloo, Mississippi)
• University of the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)
• Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, Texas)
• Virginia State University (Petersburg, VA)

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Throughout different periods in America's history, pursuing a bachelor's degree was a challenge for black students, underscoring the vital role played by remarkable HBCUs across the United States. It's important to note that HBCUs are not exclusively concentrated in the southern region of the country. 

Exceptional historically black liberal arts colleges are found beyond the southern states, reflecting their nationwide impact. These institutions have a promising future ahead, and we encourage you to consider these options as you contemplate your academic journey over the next four years.

As you continue in your search for the right historically black college or university, check out College Rover's online database. We've built a platform that contains a wealth of information about thousands of schools across the country. We would love to help you research schools, programs, and more. 

We're passionate about making the process of searching for college a little more awesome, whether you want to compare colleges or learn about things like financial aid. We think you'll find that our tool helps make this dream a reality. 

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