Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities of 2023
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Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were originally established to make quality, accredited higher education available to Black Americans. In the past, these institutions admitted only Black students. Today, HBCUs admit learners of all races.
There are more than 100 HBCUs across the U.S. that offer a wide spectrum of educational programs and vibrant, inclusive community life.
There are many factors you should consider when deciding which college or online program is the right fit. This guide lists some of the top HBCUs, using a variety of ranking criteria. It can help you decide which HBCU might be the best for you.
What Is an HBCU?
HBCUs were established in the 19th century to provide Black Americans with educational opportunities. Due to slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, traditionally white institutions denied Black Americans admission. The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines HBCUs as accredited higher education institutions established before 1964 whose "principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans."
Dr. Kimberley Brown Pellum, a specialist in the history of women's images, Southern culture, and the Black Freedom Struggle, describes HBCUs as "living artifacts of Africana/Black cultural continuity and productivity." She continues, saying "Those who attend usually have a preexisting appreciation for Black life and the ways these institutions have protected and sustained them over the last century and beyond."
There are currently 107 HBCUs serving more than 228,000 students throughout the country. HBCUs can be either public or private colleges. While HBCUs historically only served Black students, nearly a quarter of students enrolled in HBCUs were non-Black as of 2019.
2023 Best Accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
These rankings were compiled by our
BestColleges Ranking Team
and include
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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University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC - 4 years
- Campus
The University of the District of Columbia (UDC), located in the nation's capital, offers students over 80 degree programs in engineering, business, arts, sciences, and law. Myrtilla Miner, an abolitionist, founded UDC (then Miner Normal School) in 1851 as a school for African American girls. Today, UDC serves students regardless of gender or race.
UDC is an affordable HBCU choice, with in-state tuition at $5,292. It also has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 8-to-1, so if one-on-one time with your instructor is important to you, you can be sure you'll get it.
Morris College
Sumter, SC - 4 years
- Campus
Morris College is a private Baptist college located in South Carolina. It offers nearly 50 majors and minors in education, business administration, religion, humanities, science and math. It's a smaller school with around 600 undergraduate students.
The per-semester tuition and fees for students living on campus are $11,462 and $7,879 for those not boarding on campus. The college was founded in 1908. It officially became open to all ethnicities in 1961.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Allen University
Columbia, SC - 4 years
- Campus
Allen University is a private Christian college located in South Carolina's capital. It was founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1870. It has around 650 undergraduate students with 13 degree options in math, science, business, religion, and more. The university plans to expand by 2024 and offer more degrees, like public health, data science, and human resources.
The cost for undergraduate students living on campus per academic year is $22,888. The cost for non-boarding students per year is $14,304 — more expensive than many other schools on this list.
ROI Value Score: Low
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, TN - 4 years
- Campus
Meharry Medical is a private Methodist college in Nashville that offers medical and dentistry degrees. It is the nation's largest private HBCU for academic health sciences. In 2019, the university admitted 119 medical students and 110 residents, plus 63 dental students.
Tuition and fees for the college's medical program range from $58,000 to $63,600 per year for the first four years. The dental program's cost for the first four years ranges from $63,800 to $72,200 per year.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD - 4 years
- Campus
Bowie State University is located in Maryland. It is the state's first HBCU. It is a public university with just over 5,370 undergraduate students. It offers 27 undergraduate majors, 18 master's degree programs, 15 specialty certificates, and two doctoral programs.
As a public university, it has relatively low tuition. Its in-state tuition and fees cost $4,376 per semester. For out-of-state students, it costs $9,771.50 per semester. Bowie State University offers some degree programs completely online.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Le Moyne-Owen College
Memphis, TN - 4 years
- Campus
LeMoyne-Owen College is a private college in Memphis, Tennessee. It offers a wide range of majors in business, social sciences, math, natural sciences, fine arts, education and computer science. There are around 650 undergraduate students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.
Tuition and fees cost around $7,011 per semester for off-campus students. Living on campus can cost anywhere from $8,800 to $10,600, depending on your room type.
LeMoyne-Owen College was formed in 1968 when LeMoyne College and Owen College merged, but the school dates back to 1862. Martin Luther King Jr. visited the campus in March 1957. It's Memphis's only HBCU.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC - 4 years
- Campus
Shaw University was founded in 1865 in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the Baptist church and has 1,151 students. It boasts 24 academic programs and a small 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
If you plan to live on campus, tuition and fees will cost nearly $25,000 per year. Off-campus tuition and fees cost $16,480.
In 1882, Shaw University was the first institution to offer a four-year medical program in the United States, although it's no longer available.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo, MS - 4 years
- Campus
Tougaloo College is a Christian private college in Jackson, Mississippi. It has a small student population of 654 undergraduate students. It offers a wide variety of programs, including, English, education, biology, chemistry, math, computer science, and social sciences.
Tuition and fees for off-campus students cost $11,598 per year. For those living on campus, the total cost per year ranges from $17,630 to $19,068.
This HBCU played a role in the civil rights movement in the 1960s by acting as a place for the Freedom Riders and other leaders and activists to meet.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Cheyney, PA - 4 years
- Campus
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public HBCU. It was founded in 1837, making it the oldest and first HBCU. It has a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and only a few academic programs — 10 majors and six minors.
Since Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public school, it is less expensive than many other schools on this list. For undergraduate, in-state students, tuition and fees cost $5,452 per semester. For out-of-state students, it costs $9,435.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Rust College
Holly Springs, MS - 4 years
- Campus
Rust College is a private Methodist HBCU located in Holly Springs, Mississippi. It was founded in 1866. The school has around 623 students and 17 different undergraduate programs.
Rust College costs $9,900 a year for non-boarding students and $14,200 a year for boarding students. Part-time students pay $421 per credit hour.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Frequently Asked Questions About HBCUs
How many historically black colleges and universities are there?
There are 107 HBCUs across the United States, enrolling more than 228,000 students. Of these institutions, two-thirds are public, and most are four-year colleges and universities. Although learners can find HBCUs across the country, many are on the eastern side of the nation.
Which HBCU has the highest tuition?
Spelman College, a private liberal arts school in Atlanta, was listed as the most expensive HBCU in 2017-18. Students looking to save money and reduce their student loan debt can opt for public, in-state HBCUs.
Are there scholarships available for HBCU students?
Yes, scholarships are available for HBCU students. For instance, UNCF, the nation's largest private scholarship provider to minority students, awards scholarships to learners at 37 HBCUs across the country. One of the best resources for finding scholarships is your high school guidance counselor. These counselors and college advisors can help you search and find the right fit.
What GPA is needed to attend an HBCU?
Each HBCU varies in its admissions requirements. According to the College Board, 54% of HBCUs show an average GPA between 2.0-3.0 for incoming students. HBCUs also may consider other factors, such as ACT/SAT scores and college entrance essays.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Kimberly Brown Pellum
With a terminal degree in U.S. history from Howard University, Dr. Kimberly Brown Pellum specializes in the history of women's images, Southern culture, and the Black freedom struggle. Her contributions to publicly accessible history include work at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, The National Park Service, The Rosa Parks Museum and Google's Arts & Culture series. Kimberly is currently a member of the faculty in the Department of History at Florida A&M University and sparkle is her favorite color. Check out how sequins and serious scholarship come together in her role as director for the digital Museum of Black Beauty.
