Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Sports management careers are in high demand. Learn the benefits of attending an HBCU and what schools are considered the top HBCUs for sports management.
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The sports industry is a booming business with national and global success. A 2022 Sports Global Market Report states that the global sports market is expected to grow from about $355 billion in 2021 to nearly $708 billion in 2026.

And career outlook projections also show the growing demand for sports management careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), entertainment and sports occupations are projected to grow by 13% from 2021-2031, higher than the 5% average growth rate for all jobs. And the BLS projects management roles to grow by 8% from 2021-2031.

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HBCUs play a significant role in educating future sports management leaders. Among the most notable names is sports broadcaster, tv personality, and professional NFL football player Michael Strahan. The defensive end veteran for the New York Giants credits much of his personal and professional success to his education at HBCU Texas Southern University.

Sport managers can work for various employers, including professional and collegiate teams, recreational departments, and marketing firms. Careers in sports management are diverse, with several options including:

  • Coach
  • Athletic director
  • Facility manager
  • Public relations manager
  • Sports economists

Why Attend an HBCU for Sports Management?

HBCUs offer a competitive business education through accomplished faculty, commitment to faculty development, and connections to professional organizations like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Many HBCUs are members of the AACSB's Business Education Alliance, with 22 schools holding accreditation.

AACSB allows faculty to share teaching methods and best practices for enhancing their students' business acumen. Many businesses have created partnerships with HBCUs to expand student career opportunities and increase hiring and retention diversity within their companies.

With over 100 HBCUs across the country, you have many location options to choose from. HBCUs offer a vibrant campus life and a reputable education. Here are more benefits of attending an HBCU.

Community Building

Black students report a greater sense of belonging, more support, and greater access to mentors at HBCUs. Steeped in African American culture and tradition, HBCUs offer a thriving campus life with active Greek organizations, community service opportunities, and homecoming celebrations. They even have renowned marching bands.

At HBCUs, you'll have the opportunity to meet with peers from similar cultural backgrounds and build self-confidence and leadership skills. Through these co-curricular opportunities, you'll hone essential skills important for a sports management career, such as time management, flexibility, leadership, and creativity.

Networking

HBCUs provide you with student support that extends beyond graduation. All graduates of HBCUs can join the National HBCU Alumni Association. This association provides graduates with an extensive national alumni network of graduates. As a member, you can do volunteer or community service work, mentor aspiring HBCU students, and attend career fairs or networking events.

Black Greek organizations are also beneficial in providing you with connections to internships and employment. Involvement in a Black Greek organization gives you access to successful alumni and allows you to participate in civic and community engagement.

Access to Urban Settings

Many HBCUs are located in or near large metropolitan cities with large African American populations. Being located in a large and diverse city means you have more employment and activity options. This benefit can be especially useful for new graduates who want to work for large corporations or in cities with sports teams.

Many urban cities have mass transportation options, making commuting to and from events and venues easy. This may give you more opportunities for jobs and internships.

2023 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

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#1 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

North Carolina A & T State University

  • Greensboro, NC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

North Carolina A&T University is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and is the largest historically Black university in the country, with about 13,530 students. It is also considered the most affordable among North Carolina's top colleges. 

At N.C. A&T, you can pursue a sport science and fitness management degree. You can choose from three concentrations, including business administration, leisure studies, or physical therapy. If you're a first-year student in the major, you can participate in the FIT Living Learning Community. This community provides academic and peer support, and you can build your leadership skills for a sports management career.  

Average Tuition
In-state
$3,540
Out-of-state
$17,050
Retention Rate
80%
Admission Rate
57%
Students Enrolled
12,753
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
95% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Hampton University

  • Hampton, VA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Hampton University is located in Hampton, Virginia and is ranked among the top five HBCUs in America. You'll benefit from small classes with a 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Today, there are over 3,500 students enrolled at Hampton. 

The program combines sports and business, so you'll learn how the two are connected. If you're interested in a professional career path in aquatics, you can concentrate in aquatics. You can also pursue a master's degree in sports administration at Hampton. The master's features three concentrations, including international sports, organizational behavior, and intercollegiate athletics.  

Average Tuition
In-state
$26,198
Out-of-state
$26,198
Retention Rate
72%
Admission Rate
36%
Students Enrolled
3,516
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
11% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Winston-Salem State University

  • Winston-Salem, NC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is ranked among the top 10 military-friendly schools. WSSU is the first and only HBCU to receive accreditation from the Commission on Sports Management Accreditation. You can choose from three concentrations in WSSU's sports management degree program. Options include management and administration, marketing and promotion, and sports communication.

You can meet and learn from expert sports industry faculty and gain real-world experience through internships. The program also has an extensive alumni advisory board. You can use this board for jobs, internships, and recommendation letters. You can also join the Sport Management Major's Club to meet friends and travel to top sports cities and conferences.

Average Tuition
In-state
$3,401
Out-of-state
$13,648
Retention Rate
77%
Admission Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
5,169
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
95% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Delaware State University

  • Dover, DE
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware offers small class sizes with a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. If you're pursuing a sports management degree at DSU, you can choose from minors in coaching management, recreation management, or sports entrepreneurship management. 

As part of your senior year, you'll participate in an internship to apply classroom knowledge to the real world. DSU also offers a master of science in sports administration.

Average Tuition
In-state
$7,038
Out-of-state
$16,960
Retention Rate
74%
Admission Rate
39%
Students Enrolled
4,739
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
65% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#5 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Elizabeth City State University

  • Elizabeth City, NC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Elizabeth City University, a public university in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is ranked the most affordable four-year HBCU in the U.S. 

ECSU's sport management degree offers three concentrations in sport management and administration, sports marketing and promotion, and sport communication. You must complete a practicum and internship before you graduate.  

Average Tuition
In-state
$1,000
Out-of-state
$5,000
Retention Rate
76%
Admission Rate
75%
Students Enrolled
2,002
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
94% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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#6 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Bowie State University

  • Bowie, MD
  • 4 years
  • Campus

Bowie State University is regarded as a top African American graduate producer by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Bowie is also a major economic producer for Maryland's economy, as nearly 80% of graduates choose to live in the state after graduation. 

The sport management degree features diverse courses in marketing, facility management, and the legal aspects of sports. Bowie values partnerships with local and national sports teams. You can participate in field experiences with various teams. The school currently partners with the Brooklyn Nets, where you can visit facilities and get behind-the-scenes tours. 

Average Tuition
In-state
$5,647
Out-of-state
$16,338
Retention Rate
77%
Admission Rate
81%
Students Enrolled
6,250
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
99% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#7 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Alcorn State University

  • Alcorn State, MS
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Alcorn State University is a small public university located in Lorman, Mississippi. Founded in 1871, it is the oldest Black land grant college in the United States. The school's most notable alumni include Hiram Rhodes Revels and Medgar Wiley Evers. 

Alcorn's sport management program is housed in the health, physical education, and recreation department. The program has a student club for networking, academic support, jobs, and internships. The school also offers a master of science degree in education. The master's features paths to earn a teaching license in athletic administration and coaching and a nonlicensure degree in athletic administration and coaching. 

Average Tuition
In-state
$6,044
Out-of-state
$6,044
Retention Rate
74%
Admission Rate
38%
Students Enrolled
3,230
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
73% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Claflin University

  • Orangeburg, SC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Claflin University is a private university founded in 1869. Claflin has a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, so you can learn in a small intimate setting. The sport management degree combines classroom and fieldwork learning experiences. During the second semester of your second year, you'll complete a pre-internship where you'll work with a local sports team. During your last semester, you'll complete a 10-week internship to ensure that you're well prepared for the rigors of a sports management career. 

Students have had the opportunity to complete internships with several noted organizations and clubs, including the Atlanta Falcons, the University of South Carolina, and the Atlanta Braves.

Average Tuition
In-state
$16,476
Out-of-state
$16,476
Retention Rate
70%
Admission Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
2,048
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
10% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#9 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Johnson C Smith University

  • Charlotte, NC
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Johnson C. Smith University is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The University has an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, offering personalized classroom experiences for its students.

Focused on the inner workings of the finance, marketing, and administration of sport management, JCSU students get hands-on experiences with on-campus internships. You can choose from 11 minors, including physical education, sports medicine, and sport coaching. Courses emphasize real-world knowledge and prepare you to work with local professional teams in the Charlotte area. 

Average Tuition
In-state
$16,014
Out-of-state
$16,014
Retention Rate
65%
Admission Rate
49%
Students Enrolled
1,306
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
4% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 Best HBCUs for Sports Management

Coppin State University

  • Baltimore, MD
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Coppin State University is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Courses in the sport management program cover facility and equipment operations, ethics and law, and administration. You can specialize in either sport administration or athletic training management.

You'll also gain hands-on experience through a practicum and internship in the professional sports world.

Average Tuition
In-state
$4,648
Out-of-state
$11,045
Retention Rate
65%
Admission Rate
40%
Students Enrolled
2,348
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
53% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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