Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been around for 200 years. That might sound like a long time, but it's almost 200 years less than Harvard (1636). Their goal is to improve college education opportunities for Black/African-American people in America.
HBCUs offer college students a safe and supportive learning environment. And by promoting diversity in higher education, they have also produced some amazing and influential leaders.
Like any college, whether traditionally a Black or white institution, HBCUs have pros and cons. Each brings its own flavor to the mix, from upscale to athletic to creative. Let's take a closer look at what these colleges are, how they came to be, and why they play such a critical role for many Black students.
Let's also look at the best-ranking HBCUs in the country.
The history of HBCUs
The Higher Education Act of 1965 recognized historically Black institutions and created a special designation for them. The act came after a years-long struggle for civil rights within the African American community. Martin Luther King Jr. was an influential leader in the movement. As a Morehouse graduate, he's one of the most well-known HBCU alumni.
Of course, the Higher Education Act didn't create HBCUs in the practical sense. By 1965, several HBCUs were a century or more old. Fisk University came to life in Nashville just six months after the Civil War ended. This Tennessee university became the first HBCU to receive the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation.
The history of HBCUs began even before the Civil War, and several started decades before emancipation. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was established in 1837. It's the oldest HBCU still enrolling students.
People of any ethnicity can apply to attend an HBCU. Still, Cheyney, Hampton, Wilberforce, and other HBCUs focus on growing the traditionally limited education opportunities available to Black people. In many cases, they provide a safe, practical alternative for students and first-generation attendees nationwide.
What makes a school an HBCU?
If HBCUs existed long before the act that recognized them, what sets them apart from other Black-majority four-year colleges and state universities? The act recognizes HBCUs that meet the following criteria:
- Established before the 1964 end to segregation
- Has a primary goal of educating Black Americans
- Received accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting agency or another reliable authority, or is making reasonable attempts toward securing accreditation
Why are HBCUs important?
After the Civil War and emancipation, the federal government and most almost every US state enacted laws that made it hard for Black and African Americans to assimilate into free society. These laws restricted their ability to obtain a comparable education, purchase real estate, and fully participate in society.
This was not restricted to the Confederate States. Harvard admitted a black student in 1847, but she died before enrolling. No other Black student was admitted there until 1870. MIT admitted its first Black student in 1888, and Ohio State did so in 1889. Due to Jim Crow law, most Southern Public Universities didn't follow suit for another 75 to 85 years after this. So, HBCUs helped create the social shift African Americans needed.
Increases the number of educated Black Americans
Even after the Civil War, few colleges supported the enrollment of Black students. While this is no longer the case, African American students still earn degrees at lower rates than other demographics, primarily due to finances, the legacy of institutionalized racism, and significantly lower dollars and energy spent educating and preparing Black students for college.
HBCUs and financial aid have significantly affected that gap's gradual but steady closing. HBCUs make up only 3% of the colleges and universities across America, yet their student bodies are composed of 10% Black students versus non-Black students.
Gradually closes the racial wealth gap
Black Americans lacked rights for hundreds of years in American history. Today, the median wealth of Black households is still 10 times lower than white families.
Education can help, but the cost discourages many. HBCU students can save on their college tuition by applying for grants and scholarships. Check out the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to see if you qualify!
Increases the percentage of Black Americans in STEM
We all know the deal with STEM. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics degrees can lead to higher paying jobs. But unfortunately, the lack of diversity in these career fields often discourages Black students from pursuing them. HBCUs can help to bridge the gap: of the Black college graduates who have pressed on in STEM, 25% earned their degrees at HBCUs.
Strengthens America's standing as a diverse, educated population
UNCF credits HBCUs for strengthening America by educating Black youth. It also shares that HBCU students leave university much more prepared for the world of work than Black students from non-HBCUs. Whether or not this is 100% true, HBCUs have and will continue to have a huge role in American education.
HBCUs also offer an excellent source of employment and contribute an estimated $14.8 billion to the American economy annually thanks to their alumni's success in their respective industries.
Paved the way for notable leaders in the U.S.
Most people credit Ivy League schools for producing some of America's top thinkers, the best talent, and the most outstanding leaders. But HBCUs have also produced top professionals and wealthy individuals across America.
Examples include Vice President Kamala Harris, Civil Rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Oprah Winfrey, television maven and a potential Presidential Candidate. These HBCU graduates and other professionals like them have further uplifted the reputation of historically Black colleges and universities.
What are the top HBCUs in the U.S.?
Black students have no shortage of impressive HBCUs to consider. Some are so prestigious that they're often described as the Harvards of Black colleges.
Spelman College
Want a liberal arts degree? One of your best bets is this liberal arts college in Atlanta. Note that Spelman College is most well-known for its focus on educating women of African American heritage.
- Top majors. This Georgia college has educated several generations of notable psychology, biology, and political science professionals.
- Class sizes. Looking for small classes with good opportunities for one-on-one time with faculty members? Most classes have under 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 11-to-1.
- Application. Spelman has a 53% acceptance rate (considered highly selective) and an early acceptance rate of 71.5%. You'll have to fork over $40 for the application fee.
Howard University
Howard University is one of the few HBCUs located on the East Coast. It's one of the top research universities in the country.
- Top majors. Biology, political science, and public relations (PR) are the most popular programs at this Washington, D.C., school.
- Class sizes. Howard has slightly larger class sizes and an above-average student-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1. Nearly half of the classes have fewer than 20 students.
- Application. Howard has a 39% acceptance rate. You're looking at $45 for this application fee.
Tuskegee University
Looking for more of a country vibe? Tuskegee University is the home of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care. This rural Alabama college is also the only HBCU that offers a fully accredited veterinary sciences program with a doctoral degree.
- Top majors. Its association with the bioethics center makes it a common choice for students interested in animal sciences, biology, engineering, and nursing. No surprise there!
- Class sizes. Need one-on-one time? Tuskegee has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9-to-1, and 66% of its classes have fewer than 20 students.
- Application. This prestigious school has an acceptance rate of 35%. The application fee is pretty low, at just $25.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) University
Looking for lots of career options in case you change your mind halfway through your degree? It's happened to the best of us! Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) boasts 98 degree programs and 14 colleges or schools. It ranked No. 103 in national public universities across America in 2023.
- Top majors. If health care is your area, you're in good company: A quarter of enrolled students major in health care. Other preferred majors include business, psychology, and law enforcement.
- Class sizes. Florida A&M University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, and 42% of its classes have fewer than 20 students.
- Application. It has a 33% acceptance rate. You'll end up dropping $35 for the FAMU application fee.
Morehouse College
Morehouse College is another premier liberal arts college in Atlanta. It's the brother school to Spelman. Basically, this private university only educates men.
- Top majors. Wanna network with the next Black entrepreneurs of your generation? A quarter of its students pursue business degrees. Other popular majors include social sciences, biomedical sciences, fitness, and psychology.
- Class sizes. It has a good student-to-faculty ratio of 12-to-1, and 53% of its classes have fewer than 20 students.
- Application. Getting into Morehouse is easier than some HBCUs but still selective. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. That $50 application fee is a little steep, though, compared to other HBCUs.
Compare the best HBCUs for you with College Rover
Black students have no shortage of HBCUs to choose from, and a detailed comparison is the best way to choose the right one for you. But who wants to sit around researching each university? College Rover simplifies the process so you can narrow your options.
Start comparing HBCU schools today.
