Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)

University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best HBCU programs.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape for Black Americans and other underrepresented groups in the United States. They have served the educational needs of the black community and developed programs, majors, and course offerings that have helped to shape how they are defined today. In 2020, there were 101 HBCUs located in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the 101 HBCUs, 52 were public institutions and 49 were private nonprofit institutions.

With a rich history of academic excellence, cultural empowerment, and social justice, HBCUs continue to provide top-tier education while fostering a sense of community and pride. Many of these institutions are renowned for their outstanding programs, committed faculty, and strong networks of alumni who are leaders across various fields. Whether you're seeking a degree in business, engineering, the arts, or the sciences, attending an HBCU can offer a transformative educational experience. While the number of HBCUs in the United States is small, their legacy is widespread. It has produced many of the nation's most successful leaders, including Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Alice Walker, and Chadwick Boseman. Even though HBCUs comprise only 3% of four-year colleges, they have produced more than 80% of the nation's black judges and 50% of black doctors.

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Top 25 Best Historically Black Colleges & Universities Programs

1

Florida A&M University

Score: 78.16

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,785
- Out-of-State:$17,725
Net Price: $11,583
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 60%
Total Enrollment: 9,215
Undergrad Students: 7,709
Graduate Students: 1,506
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

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2

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 76.15

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State:$20,408
Net Price: $9,189
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 13,487
Undergrad Students: 11,833
Graduate Students: 1,654
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

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3

Tuskegee University

Score: 75.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,440
- Out-of-State:$23,440
Net Price: $35,596
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 2,570
Undergrad Students: 2,100
Graduate Students: 470
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

4

Virginia University of Lynchburg

Score: 75.77

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,248
- Out-of-State:$9,248
Net Price: $17,093
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 87%
Total Enrollment: 837
Undergrad Students: 479
Graduate Students: 358
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

5

Howard University

Score: 75.26

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,344
- Out-of-State:$33,344
Net Price: $28,279
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 88%

Graduation Rate: 70%
Total Enrollment: 12,886
Undergrad Students: 9,809
Graduate Students: 3,077
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

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6

Spelman College

Score: 75.21

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,058
- Out-of-State:$30,058
Net Price: $37,085
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 3,102
Undergrad Students: 3,102
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

7

Morehouse College

Score: 71.87

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,725
- Out-of-State:$31,725
Net Price: $35,251
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 2,567
Undergrad Students: 2,567
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

8

Delaware State University

Score: 71.53

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,314
- Out-of-State:$20,250
Net Price: $11,886
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 5,826
Undergrad Students: 4,996
Graduate Students: 830
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

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9

Talladega College

Score: 70.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,650
- Out-of-State:$15,650
Net Price: $12,360
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 903
Undergrad Students: 835
Graduate Students: 68
Grads Salary: $90,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

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10

Winston-Salem State University

Score: 69.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,735
- Out-of-State:$17,391
Net Price: $14,097
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 5,004
Undergrad Students: 4,513
Graduate Students: 491
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

11

Prairie View A&M University

Score: 69.24

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,299
- Out-of-State:$26,874
Net Price: $12,875
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 9,056
Undergrad Students: 8,103
Graduate Students: 953
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

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12

Morgan State University

Score: 69.08

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,118
- Out-of-State:$18,800
Net Price: $13,956
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 9,101
Undergrad Students: 7,609
Graduate Students: 1,492
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

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13

Alcorn State University

Score: 68.75

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,549
- Out-of-State:$8,549
Net Price: $14,864
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 2,933
Undergrad Students: 2,431
Graduate Students: 502
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

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14

Wilberforce University

Score: 67.62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,776
- Out-of-State:$14,776
Net Price: $14,070
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 656
Undergrad Students: 643
Graduate Students: 13
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

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15

Elizabeth City State University

Score: 67.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,412
- Out-of-State:$7,412
Net Price: $4,120
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 2,149
Undergrad Students: 2,033
Graduate Students: 116
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

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16

University of the Virgin Islands

Score: 66.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,612
- Out-of-State:$15,521
Net Price: $9,909
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 27%
Total Enrollment: 1,636
Undergrad Students: 1,378
Graduate Students: 258
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

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17

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Score: 66.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,898
- Out-of-State:$19,728
Net Price: $12,020
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 37%
Total Enrollment: 2,518
Undergrad Students: 1,933
Graduate Students: 585
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

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18

Lincoln University Pennsylvania

Score: 65.84

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,512
- Out-of-State:$19,384
Net Price: $15,502
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 1,824
Undergrad Students: 1,712
Graduate Students: 112
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

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19

Bowie State University

Score: 65.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,999
- Out-of-State:$19,889
Net Price: $13,886
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 6,275
Undergrad Students: 5,378
Graduate Students: 897
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

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20

Fisk University

Score: 65.56

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,298
- Out-of-State:$24,298
Net Price: $20,578
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 1,055
Undergrad Students: 1,009
Graduate Students: 46
Grads Salary: $64,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

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21

Fayetteville State University

Score: 65.48

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,969
- Out-of-State:$7,969
Net Price: $6,355
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 6,787
Undergrad Students: 5,748
Graduate Students: 1,039
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

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22

Dillard University

Score: 65.36

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,194
- Out-of-State:$22,194
Net Price: $18,949
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 48%
Total Enrollment: 1,224
Undergrad Students: 1,224
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

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23

Huston-Tillotson University

Score: 65.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,703
- Out-of-State:$14,703
Net Price: $21,069
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 32%
Total Enrollment: 1,025
Undergrad Students: 991
Graduate Students: 34
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

24

Southern University and A&M College

Score: 64.8

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,848
- Out-of-State:$17,198
Net Price: $16,959
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 30%
Total Enrollment: 8,226
Undergrad Students: 6,470
Graduate Students: 1,756
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

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25

Tougaloo College

Score: 64.54

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,398
- Out-of-State:$11,398
Net Price: $13,718
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 677
Undergrad Students: 657
Graduate Students: 20
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

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Our Ranking Methodology

University HQ has earned its reputation as an academic authority through its team of expert researchers and writers. The platform provides valuable information and resources for both students and professionals, helping them assess how their educational choices will impact their long-term goals. Students can explore a wide range of prestigious colleges and universities without needing an account. The site also offers detailed information about degree programs at every level of study, allowing users to conduct all their educational research in one place and discover which courses and careers best match their interests.

Accreditation is crucial, especially for students who may want to transfer credits to a higher-level degree program, which is why this is one of the most important parts of our ranking. In addition to accreditation, University HQ ranks colleges and universities based on various factors such as admission and retention rates, graduation rates, tuition costs, available degrees, online offerings, student-to-faculty ratio, and net price.

Best HBCU by State

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are an important part of the higher education landscape. These institutions have been around for generations, with some dating back to the 1860s. Some of the first historically black colleges and universities were founded by African Americans, such as Cheyney University in North Carolina. However, until the early 20th century, they did not have accreditation or the power to offer degrees. One of the first HBCUs to issue degrees was Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, which was founded in 1854 as the Ashmun Institute. These historically black colleges and universities are all excellent educational institutions, and many have survived the years of segregation. And they pride themselves on graduating excellent and highly qualified professionals.