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Historically Black Colleges and Universities HBCUs): Everything You Need to Know

By Zach Skillings

Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts. Full Bio

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and Varonika Ware

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles. Full Bio

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania. Full Bio

Maria Geiger

Updated: November 21st, 2023

You can’t tell the story of higher education in America without discussing historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). As the name suggests, HBCUs are post-secondary institutions that have traditionally enrolled black students. 

For a long time, HBCUs were the only schools where black Americans could receive a college education. While that is no longer the case, HBCUs maintain an important legacy and are still a crucial part of higher education in the United States. 

If you’re considering attending any of the HBCU colleges, here’s what you need to know. 

Learn more: Why Choose a HBCU?

What is a historically black college or university?

HBCUs date back to the 1800s, during a time in America when black students were denied admission to institutions of higher learning. As a result, HBCUs were established to serve the educational needs of the black community. Until America became widely desegregated, HBCUs were the primary option for black students seeking a postsecondary education. 

These days, HBCUs enroll students of all races while maintaining majority black student populations. Most HBCUs are located in southern states, although they’re found in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania as well. 

HBCUs fall into a wide range of categories, including public, private, two-year, four-year, liberal arts, research-based, and single-gender serving. While HBCUs represent only 3% of colleges in the nation, they account for 17% of all bachelor’s degrees earned by black students. There are currently 103 HBCUs in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Don’t miss: Guide to different types of colleges and universities

What are the best HBCUs?

The “best” HBCU is the one that is right for you! If we look only at acceptance rates as an indicator of “best,” we are missing out. For example, Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana has a 95% acceptance rate. However, Xavier is known for its “STEM and health sciences fields, producing more African American students who graduate from medical school each year than any other university in the United States.” This makes it less competitive than many other HBCUs, but ideal for students looking to enter STEM fields. Here are some well-known HBCUs ranked by acceptance rates as we had to start somewhere. Remember to do your own research and consider factors like cost, location, and major as you search for the right HBCU for you.

Also see: Do college rankings matter? 

Benefits of Attending an HBCU

Campus Environment 

Black students may find a more supportive community and better sense of belonging among their peers at an HBCU. For example, Black students may have a better shot at developing meaningful relationships with their professors at HBCUs. 

According to a Gallup report, black graduates of HBCUs are much more likely than black graduates of non-HBCUs to recall having professors who cared about them as people. The same report found that HBCU students also had better luck at finding mentors who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams.

And while HBCUs primarily serve black students, students of many other races and ethnicities can be found at HBCUs. Recent data shows that non-black students make up 24 percent of enrollment at HBCUs. This is a big plus for anyone who values institutions with diverse communities of students. 

Lower Cost of Attendance 

When it comes to the cost of attendance, HBCUs have tuition rates that are consistently lower than the national average. Because HBCUs include both public and private institutions, the cost of attendance encompasses a wide range. Tuition ranges from $3,326 at Elizabeth City State University to $28,181 at Spelman College. 

Although the cost of attendance varies greatly among HBCUs, you can generally count on lower rates than non-HBCU counterparts. For instance, tuition at Spelman College is still lower than the average cost of tuition at four-year private nonprofit universities ($37,200). The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a relatively affordable college, HBCUs are an attractive option.

See also: Difference between private and public universities

STEM Degrees

HBCUs are typically well-suited for students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Although black professionals are underrepresented in STEM jobs, HBCUs are making efforts to close that gap. 

Historically, STEM degrees have been a popular choice among black students attending HBCUs. According to the United Negro College Fund, 25% of black graduates with STEM degrees come from HBCUs. 

Colleges like North Carolina A&T State University and Howard rank among the top HBCUs for granting STEM degrees. These are the HBCUs with the strongest STEM programs.

Learn more: Top STEM scholarships

Life After College

HBCUs have a strong track record of setting their students up for success after graduation. In fact, data from a Gallup report suggests that black graduates of HBCUs have a better sense of well-being than black graduates of non-HBCUs. According to the report, black HBCU graduates are more likely to have a strong sense of personal and financial well-being. 

Furthermore, as of 2020, hiring rates were higher for HBCU graduates than they are for graduates of other institutions. Not to mention, HBCUs are known for having strong alumni networks that can be extremely useful in securing employment. 

Challenges facing HBCUs

Lower endowment funds

Any discussion regarding HBCUs isn’t complete without mentioning the funding issues that have made it difficult for them to keep pace with PWIs. According to the American Council on Education, HBCUs have 70% smaller endowments than their non-HBCU counterparts. 

This means that black colleges and universities have to rely more on government funding and donations than non-HBCUs. This is problematic because HBCUs aren’t receiving enough support from either of these funding avenues. Between 2003 and 2015, HBCUs saw a 42% reduction in federal funding. Not to mention, HBCUs receive less donations than PWIs. As a result, scholarship offers and financial aid packages may be lower at HBCUs.

Limited resources

Because they’re chronically underfunded, HBCUs are usually equipped with fewer resources. This is sometimes reflected in the quality of dorms, academic facilities, and athletic programs. 

Some HBCUs are struggling to even keep their doors open, while many have closed or lost accreditation in the past couple decades. It should be noted, however, that many HBCUs received a surge in donations during 2020. Although this was certainly a step forward for HBCUs, their funding issues are by no means resolved. 

See also: Scholarships at HBCUs

Final thoughts

Despite their financial struggles, there’s no denying that HBCUs have an important legacy and remain a key component of higher education in America. For many students, attending HBCU is a very rewarding experience. But for others, it’s not the right fit. 

If you’re considering attending an HBCU, you should think about which specific schools can serve you best. Although they share certain key traits, there’s a lot of HBCUs and they’re all unique. 

Like choosing any college, you should take into account the school’s academic programs, overall cost, student population, campus environment, and location. From there, you can make an informed decision about the school that’s best for you.

Also see: Top scholarships for Black students

Frequently asked questions about HBCUs