HBCU Rankings - Historically Black Colleges and Universities

These esteemed institutions emerged during a time when racial segregation limited opportunities for black individuals to pursue higher learning. By providing a nurturing and inclusive environment, HBCUs played a pivotal role in empowering generations of students and fostering academic excellence.

best HBCU rankigns 2015

In a Gallup poll conducted in 2015, illuminating insights emerged regarding the experiences of students attending HBCUs. The five key areas encompassing purpose, social interactions, financial stability, community engagement, and physical well-being collectively contributed to a more positive overall student experience.

The concept of purpose refers to a deep sense of direction and motivation in one's academic pursuits and future endeavors.

The social dimension of well-being pertains to the quality of relationships and connections forged during the college experience. This sense of community contributed to enhanced social well-being and an enriching college experience.

Financial well-being, another crucial aspect, encompassed students' confidence in managing their finances and their perception of economic stability. HBCUs often prioritize affordability and offer robust financial aid programs, empowering students to navigate the financial aspects of their education with greater ease and peace of mind.

These establishments nurtured a robust culture of community service and civic participation, inspiring students to actively contribute towards improving their local and global communities.

Finally, physical well-being encompassed aspects related to physical health and access to resources promoting a healthy lifestyle. HBCUs often prioritize the holistic development of their students, offering comprehensive support services, access to wellness programs, and encouraging healthy habits. By nurturing physical well-being, these institutions recognized the vital role it plays in supporting students' overall success and happiness.

The Gallup poll's findings shed light on the unique strengths and advantages of attending HBCUs, reinforcing the value and impact of these institutions in fostering a positive and holistic educational experience for students. Beyond academic excellence, HBCUs have long been catalysts for personal growth, community empowerment, and the development of future leaders.

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Quick Facts

  • First HBCU Established After the Civil War - Shaw University (1837)
  • Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (1837)
  • Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) (1854)
  • Wilberforce University (1856)

HBCU Rankings

Best HBCU Online Colleges

HBCU List

ALABAMA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Alabama A & M University
  • Alabama State University

Public, 2 Year Colleges:

  • Bishop State Community College
  • Gadsden State Community College
  • Shelton State Community College

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Concordia College-Selma
  • Miles College
  • Oakwood University
  • Selma University
  • Stillman College
  • Talladega College
  • Tuskegee University

ARKANSAS HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Arkansas Baptist College
  • Philander Smith College

Private, 2 Year Colleges:

  • Shorter College

CALIFORNIA HBCUs

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science

DELAWARE HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Delaware State University

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA/ WASHINGTON, DC HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • University of the District of Columbia

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Howard University
  • Howard University School of Law

FLORIDA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Florida A&M University

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Bethune-Cookman University
  • Edward Waters College
  • Florida Memorial University

GEORGIA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Albany State University
  • Fort Valley State University
  • Savannah State University

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Clark Atlanta University
  • Interdenominational Theological Center
  • Morehouse College
  • Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Morris Brown College
  • Paine College
  • Spelman College

HBCU in Georgia

KENTUCKY HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Kentucky State University

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Simmons College of Kentucky

LOUISIANA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Grambling State University
  • Southern University and A&M College
  • Southern University at New Orleans

Public, 2 Year Colleges:

  • Southern University at Shreveport

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Dillard University
  • Xavier University of Louisiana

MARYLAND HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Bowie State University
  • Coppin State University
  • Morgan State University
  • University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

MISSISSIPPI HBCUs

  • Alcorn State University
  • Jackson State University
  • Mississippi Valley State University

Public, 2 Year Colleges:

  • Coahoma Community College
  • Hinds Community College-Utica

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Rust College
  • Tougaloo College

MISSOURI HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Harris-Stowe State University
  • Lincoln University of Missouri

NORTH CAROLINA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Elizabeth City State University
  • Fayetteville State University
  • North Carolina A&T State University
  • North Carolina Central University
  • Winston Salem State University

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Barber-Scotia College
  • Bennett College
  • Johnson C. Smith University
  • Livingstone College
  • St. Augustine’s College
  • Shaw University

OHIO HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Central State University

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Wilberforce University

OKLAHOMA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Langston University

PENNSYLVANIA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
  • Lincoln University

SOUTH CAROLINA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • South Carolina State University

Public, 2 Year Colleges:

  • Denmark Technical College

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Allen University
  • Benedict College
  • Claflin University
  • Morris College
  • Voorhees College

Private, 2 Year Colleges:

  • Clinton Junior College

TENNESSEE HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Tennessee State University

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • American Baptist College
  • Fisk University
  • Knoxville College
  • Lane College
  • LeMoyne-Owen College
  • Meharry Medical College

TEXAS HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Prairie View A&M University
  • Texas Southern University

Public, 2 Year Colleges:

  • St. Philip’s College

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Huston-Tillotson University
  • Jarvis Christian College
  • Paul Quinn College
  • Southwestern Christian College
  • Texas College
  • Wiley College

VIRGINIA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Norfolk State University
  • Virginia State University

Private, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Hampton University
  • Virginia Union University
  • Virginia University of Lynchburg

WEST VIRGINIA HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • Bluefield State College
  • West Virginia State University

VIRGIN ISLANDS HBCUs

Public, 4 Year Colleges:

  • University of the Virgin Islands
  • University of the Virgin Islands-Kingshill

Online Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Best HBCU Rankings

EDsmart HBCU Rankings

  1. Largest HBCUs in the nation by African American Enrollment
  2. Top 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities by Average Starting Salary

2020 US News HBCU Rankings

  1. Link
  2. Spelman College
  3. Howard University
  4. Xavier University of Louisiana
  5. Hampton University
  6. Morehouse College
  7. North Carolina A&T State University
  8. Florida A&M University
  9. Tuskegee University
  10. Claflin University
  11. Fisk University
  12. Dillard University
  13. North Carolina Central University
  14. Clark Atlanta University
  15. Delaware State University
  16. Morgan State University
  17. Tougaloo College
  18. Jackson State University
  19. Winston-Salem State University
  20. Lincoln University
  21. University of Maryland--Eastern Shore
  22. Prairie View A&M University
  23. Virginia State University
  24. Alcorn State University
  25. Fayetteville State University
  26. Bowie State University
  27. Norfolk State University
  28. Alabama State University
  29. Elizabeth City State University
  30. Johnson C. Smith University
  31. Oakwood University
  32. South Carolina State University
  33. Southern University and A&M College
  34. Tennessee State University
  35. University of the District of Columbia
  36. Kentucky State University
  37. University of Arkansas--Pine Bluff
  38. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
  39. Talladega College
  40. Fort Valley State University
  41. West Virginia State University
  42. Bennett College
  43. Bethune-Cookman University
  44. Central State University
  45. Mississippi Valley State University
  46. Albany State University
  47. Florida Memorial University
  48. Texas Southern University
  49. Philander Smith College
  50. Coppin State University
  51. Grambling State University
  52. Savannah State University
  53. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
  54. Bluefield State College
  55. Stillman College
  56. Virginia Union University
  57. Benedict College
  58. Langston University
  59. St. Augustine's University
  60. Allen University
  61. Arkansas Baptist College
  62. Edward Waters College
  63. Harris-Stowe State University
  64. Huston-Tillotson University
  65. Jarvis Christian College
  66. Lane College
  67. LeMoyne-Owen College
  68. Lincoln University
  69. Livingstone College
  70. Morris College
  71. Paine College
  72. Rust College
  73. Shaw University
  74. Southern University--New Orleans
  75. Voorhees College
  76. Wilberforce University
  77. Wiley College
  78. Concordia College
  79. Miles College
  80. Southwestern Christian College
  81. Texas College

2020 Niche HBCU Rankings

  1. Spelman College
  2. Howard University
  3. Florida A&M University
  4. North Carolina A&T State University
  5. Xavier University of Louisiana
  6. Fisk University
  7. Claflin University
  8. Morehouse College
  9. Winston-Salem State University
  10. Tuskegee University
  11. Fayetteville State University
  12. Kentucky State University
  13. Hampton University
  14. Prairie View A & M University
  15. Jackson State University
  16. Alcorn State University
  17. Delaware State University
  18. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  19. North Carolina Central University
  20. Norfolk State University
  21. Tougaloo College
  22. Bowie State University
  23. Oakwood University
  24. South Carolina State University
  25. Dillard University

2020 The World University HBCU Rankings

HBCU Rank 2020US College Rank 2020UniversityCityState
1=117Howard UniversityWashingtonDC
2=150Spelman CollegeAtlantaGeorgia
3=394Xavier University of LouisianaNew OrleansLouisiana
=4401-500Hampton UniversityHamptonVirginia
=4401-500Morehouse CollegeAtlantaGeorgia
=4401-500Tuskegee UniversityTuskegeeAlabama
=7> 600Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlantaGeorgia
=7> 600Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahasseeFlorida
=7> 600North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityGreensboroNorth Carolina
=7> 600North Carolina Central UniversityDurhamNorth Carolina
=7> 600Southern University and A&M CollegeBaton RougeLouisiana

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