Best HBCUs for Health Science Majors

Discover the top HBCUs for health science majors. Learn about unique benefits, specialized programs, and opportunities to succeed in healthcare careers while prioritizing diversity and community.

Edited by

Updated January 21, 2025

Why Trust BestColleges

3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed
6,000+ Users connected with programs every month
300+ College and university partners
40+ Expert reviewers

Learn more about our Editorial Policy and Standards and Advertising Disclosure.

A health science degree is a great option if you want to help people and work in healthcare. It will give you a good grasp of the industry’s scientific, social, and ethical aspects. You’ll also gain the skills you need to succeed as a healthcare worker.

If you’re considering attending an HBCU with a health science major, you’ll want to think about several factors, like cost and how experienced and talented the faculty is. You’ll also want to research how well other students have done at the school and what relationships it has with employers that recruit HBCU talent.

The value of an HBCU education also includes the advantage that the student and faculty bodies will be mostly Black — a rarity in academia outside of HBCUs — which lifts diverse perspectives. It also prepares you to work in a variety of communities.

The top six HBCUs with health science majors are Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), Howard University, Spelman College, Oakwood University, Tuskegee University, and Lincoln University.

What Is a Health Science Degree?

A health science degree prepares you for a variety of careers in healthcare and related fields, such as public health, healthcare management, and medical research. Example careers include:

Doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse
Registered dietitian or health educator
Physical or occupational therapist
Pharmacy sales representative or patient care advocate

Why Attend an HBCU for Health Science?

HBCUs with health science majors offer supportive environments that center the experiences of Black and other underrepresented students. This can create a strong sense of community and belonging, which is important for academic success and personal growth.

In addition, HBCUs have specialized programs that address health disparities in underserved communities, allowing you to do meaningful research. Graduating with an HBCU education can also give you a valuable alumni network that can provide mentorship and connections.

Finally, many HBCUs that offer health science majors are top schools. This means that the faculty, curriculum, and opportunities they have can get you the best possible return on your educational investment.

In this Article

2023 HBCUs With Health Science Majors

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

Affordability (30%)
Student outcomes (30%)
Reputation (20%)
Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$3,152

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,524

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

33%

Acceptance Rate

98%

Online Enrollment

Located in Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a mid-sized, top-ranked school known for both its academics and its HBCU athletics. The school puts racial and cultural awareness front and center in both academics and student life.

Its School of Allied Health Sciences has five departments: Cardiopulmonary Science, Healthcare Management, Health Informatics and Information Management, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.

In addition, FAMU's College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the top-ranked programs in the country. The university's School of Nursing is also highly respected.

FAMU is public, less expensive (for in-state residents), and has small class sizes.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,019

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,108

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

9,184

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,152

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,524

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,152

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,524

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment

98%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,019

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,108

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

9,184

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Its School of Allied Health Sciences has five departments: Cardiopulmonary Science, Healthcare Management, Health Informatics and Information Management, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.

In addition, FAMU's College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the top-ranked programs in the country. The university's School of Nursing is also highly respected.

FAMU is public, less expensive (for in-state residents), and has small class sizes.

Howard University

Washington, DC4 yearCampus + Online

$26,464

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,464

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

39%

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment

The College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University in Washington, D.C. — a world-famous institution — offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, dentistry, and occupational therapy. It is known for its emphasis on racial equity and social justice, which is reflected in its curriculum.

The nursing program at this top-ranked research-driven HBCU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. And you can continue your education all the way to the doctoral level at this school. The allied health sciences programs include majors in clinical laboratory science, radiation therapy, and health management.

Classes are smaller at this private, mid-sized university, meaning you'll get personalized attention from faculty.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$32,248

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,248

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

10,859

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,464

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,464

Howard University

Washington, DC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,464

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,464

Acceptance Rate

39%

Online Enrollment

33%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$32,248

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,248

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

10,859

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Classes are smaller at this private, mid-sized university, meaning you'll get personalized attention from faculty.

Spelman College

Atlanta, GA4 yearCampus

$25,942

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,942

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

53%

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia is one of the top liberal arts colleges for women in the country, a compelling HBCU fact. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The private school's health science major has several specialization areas, including biology, biochemistry, environmental health, and public health. With a focus on the non-medical factors that influence health, Spelman will teach you how to identify inequality in health settings, as well as show you how to reduce it.

Small class sizes mean you get individual attention from faculty, while the school's commitment to cultural diversity ensures that you can get your education in an intentionally inclusive environment.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

2,207

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,942

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,942

Spelman College

Atlanta, GA4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,942

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,942

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment

100%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

89%

Students Enrolled

2,207

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Oakwood University

Huntsville, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$18,974

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$18,974

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

89%

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama is a Seventh-Day Adventist school, so you will receive a faith-based education at this HBCU. Its School of Nursing and Health Professions has four departments: Allied Health, Health & Human Science, Nursing, and Nutrition & Dietetics.

The university has the prestige of being the fifth-ranked producer of Black students who apply to medical schools. In addition to small class sizes, Oakwood's program is known for giving specialized attention to each HBCU student, in alignment with its mission.

Oakwood also emphasizes ethical and compassionate care. It focuses on preparing you to provide patient-centered care that promotes the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,680

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,680

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,374

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$18,974

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,974

Oakwood University

Huntsville, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$18,974

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,974

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment

81%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,680

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,680

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

1,374

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Oakwood also emphasizes ethical and compassionate care. It focuses on preparing you to provide patient-centered care that promotes the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$19,594

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,594

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

61%

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Tuskegee University is a private HBCU located in Tuskegee, Alabama — the only one in the country with a National Center for Bioethics in Research and Healthcare location. It's ranked as one of the best HBCUs and is one of the oldest nursing schools to offer a bachelor's degree in the U.S.

The School of Nursing & Allied Health (SONAH) at Tuskegee offers you many undergraduate and graduate degree programs with small class sizes in areas such as nursing, occupational therapy, and public health.

SONAH is well-regarded for its commitment to caring for diverse rural populations.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,378

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,378

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

2,747

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,594

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,594

Tuskegee University

Tuskegee, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,594

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,594

Acceptance Rate

61%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,378

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,378

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

2,747

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

SONAH is well-regarded for its commitment to caring for diverse rural populations.

Lincoln University

Lincoln University, PA4 yearCampus

$8,026

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,396

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

Situated in Southeast Pennsylvania, Lincoln University prides itself on being the first HBCU to award college degrees. Its Health Sciences Department is outspoken about the fact that Black Americans face more health disparities than white Americans and has made it its mission to close the gap.

Lincoln offers both bachelor of science and arts degrees in health science, preparing you for grad school. You can also get a pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing, which can be difficult to come by at HBCUs.

Lincoln University is known for its cheaper tuition for Pennsylvania residents and small class sizes.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,106

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,636

Retention Rate

71%

Students Enrolled

2,077

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,026

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,396

Lincoln University

Lincoln University, PA4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,026

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,396

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

97%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,106

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,636

Retention Rate

71%

Students Enrolled

2,077

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Lincoln University is known for its cheaper tuition for Pennsylvania residents and small class sizes.

Additional Resources for Students in HBCU Health Science Programs

These resources are designed to support your academic and career goals in the health sciences. They provide various services and programs, such as training, mentorship, job boards, and financial aid advice.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund: This fund offers scholarships, internships, and career development opportunities for those interested in health science programs.

The National HBCU Health Sciences Consortium: This nonprofit organization provides you with resources and opportunities, including training programs, internships, and research grants.

The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education: This nonprofit advocates for policies that address the challenges faced by HBCUs, including access to financial aid and STEM education.

HBCU Connect: This is a social networking platform that connects you to alumni and professionals from HBCUs. It provides a community for networking, job opportunities, and mentorship.

HBCU Lifestyle: This hub provides you with information on HBCUs, including their health sciences programs, and gives admissions and financial aid advice.