Best HBCUs for LGBTQ+ Students

Howard University is a private, four-year institution in Washington, D.C. Around 11,000 students enroll in over 120 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Howard has LGBTQ+ organizations for students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and law programs. The school also has an official organization for undergraduate students — the Coalition of Activist Students Celebrating the Acceptance of Diversity and Equality (CASCADE).

These organizations provide a safe space and advocacy for LGBTQ+ students. Howard offers Safe Zone training for staff and faculty and gender-inclusive student housing.

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public four-year institution in North Carolina. It has a total enrollment of around 6,800 students and is best known for its education and nursing departments. The institution is considered to be military- and commuter-friendly.

The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

FSU is stepping out as a leader when it comes to supporting LGBTQ+ students. It has a Safe Zone office, which gives students an opportunity to meet each other and build community. Faculty and staff are encouraged to put a "Safe Zone" sticker on their office doors to symbolize a supportive and respectful community.

Spelman College is a four-year, private, not-for-profit college in Atlanta, Georgia. It is America's oldest private HBCU liberal arts college for women. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Spelman College is home to 2,100 students and is the leading producer of Black women who pursue a Ph.D. in STEM.

In 2021, Spelman College became the first HBCU to launch the Queer Studies Chair in honor of Audre Lorde. The school also established a Transgender Policy Task Force to look at enrollment, graduation, services, and resources for transgender students.

Hampton University (HU), ranked in the top 5 HBCUs in the nation, serves close to 3,500 students across its associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in Hampton, Virginia. The student body is predominantly female (67%) and largely composed of students from out-of-state (89%). 

HU prides itself on setting a standard for excellence, including setting a standard for how students dress. Students interested in gaining leadership experience can take advantage of the HU's Leadership Institute, which includes completing 400 internship hours and 18 credit hours in leadership courses.  

HU welcomed its first LGBTQ+ organization on campus in 2016 after a two-year planning process — MOSAIC. MOSAIC, which stands for Motivating Open-Minded Social Acceptance & Inspiring Change, is an organization for LGBTQ+ students and allies. MOSAIC hosts educational and community-building events throughout the school year, including a gender identity seminar, a Black Pride panel, and even a Wonderland-themed ball.

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a four-year public institution in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The university offers over 40 academic majors and 10 graduate degrees.

The school enrolls approximately 5,200 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The institution is known for its nursing and education programs.

WSSU is a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity's Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award in recognition of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school offers the LGBTQ-focused student organization PRISM and holds an annual Pride Week celebration in collaboration with Student Life.

North Carolina Central University offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing, and the arts. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally (LGBTA) Resource Center gives students a place where they can learn about LGBTQ+ identities and culture. The center also provides professional development and leadership training for students who want to increase their knowledge and outreach about issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community.

The campus also hosts signature programming for LGBTQ+ students — Homecoming Drag Show, LGBTQ+ Prom, Lavender Graduation, and Transgender Awareness Event.

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), located northwest of Houston, Texas, was the first state-supported college in Texas created specifically for African Americans when it opened almost 150 years ago in 1876. This makes PVAMU the second oldest public higher education program in Texas. 

Students interested in growing their research skills can explore a number of research initiatives at PVAMU, including the Center of Excellence in Research and Education for Big Military Data Intelligence, the Center for Computational Systems Biology, and the Center for Radiation Engineering and Science for Space Exploration, to name a few.

LGBTQ+ students and allies at PVAMU can join groups like PV Spectrum and get involved through the LGBTQ+ Resource Office on campus. PVAMU even supports students at graduation, holding a Lavender Graduation event.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana is home to Southern University and A&M College (SU). Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and serves more than 8,000 students. 

Thanks to a recent partnership with Columbia University, students and faculty from SU will be able to partner on research projects with better-resourced teams from Columbia. The best part? Students at SU may be able to continue their studies by pursuing a Ph.D. at Columbia through a pathways program. 

Law students at SU can join the Gay Alliance for Legal Equality to focus on legal issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community. All students, regardless of sexual orientation or area of study, can also join the Equality Club, which was formed in 2022 and focuses on promoting tolerance and acceptance on campus.

Delaware State University is a public, four-year school in Dover, Delaware. Current enrollment is around 5,700 students. The school has about 40 undergraduate degree options, 20 master's degree programs, and six doctoral degree programs. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Delaware State University offers a vibrant student life and organizations based on academic and personal interests.

Students also have the freedom to create or design a student organization that fits their needs.

Albany State University is a four-year public institution — and one of the largest HBCUs in Georgia. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

It offers about 40 undergraduate degree programs. Its most popular majors are health and human performance, nursing, biology, criminal justice, early childhood education, and psychology.

Albany State University hosts The Safe Zone Project, which helps educate people about sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. It also creates a visible network of allies to support the LGBTQ+ community. This training program exists for faculty and staff, and the goal is to provide LGBTQ+ students with mentors on campus.

Bowie State University, a four-year public institution in Maryland, is the oldest HBCU in Maryland. The school offers around 22 undergraduate majors, 20 master's degree programs, and two doctoral programs. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Bowie State University, which serves over 6,000 students, offers opportunities to study abroad.

The school has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ inclusion. It was the first HBCU to open a Gender and Sexualities Diversity Center and the first to have a Queer Studies course approved.

Morehouse College is a four-year, private, not-for-profit institution in Atlanta, Georgia. The liberal arts-focused college serves those who are male-identifying, with an enrollment of over 2,000 students. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

In 2019, Morehouse College decided it would allow transgender men to enroll at the school.

In 2002, Morehouse launched its first LGBTQ+ student organization, Safe Space. In 2010, the school held its inaugural Pride Week celebration on campus. In 2013, its first LGBTQ+ course was offered, focusing on the impact of Black LGBTQ+ figures on culture and politics.

Tennessee State University is a four-year public institution in Nashville, Tennessee. The school offers about 40 bachelor's, 20 master's, and eight doctoral degree programs. It has an enrollment of around 8,100 students. Its business, engineering, and nursing programs are highly regarded. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The institution offers a safe training program to promote inclusivity for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty. It also regularly offers LGBTQ+ student-focused programming like panel discussions, speaker series, and education and outreach opportunities.

The school also has a Gay Straight Alliance. In 2014, it was one of four historically Black colleges and universities to receive a $4,000 grant from the Human Rights Campaign to advance on-campus LGBTQ+ inclusion.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is located 45 miles south of Little Rock, in Pine Bluff. UAPB also offers a small faculty-to-student ratio of 15 students to 1 faculty member. UAPB was established more than 130 years ago, making it one of the oldest institutions in Arkansas.

Students at UAPB can attend classes in Pine Bluff or at the University's North Little Rock campus. First-year students interested in a STEM major can attend UAPB's STEM Academy to get a head start on college life as a STEM student. This National Science Foundation-funded academy helps students learn what to expect when majoring in a STEM degree and includes activities like field trips to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

The UAPB's Counseling Center offers group counseling for LGBTQ+ students but doesn't have an LGBTQ+ student group yet.

Xavier University of Louisiana is a four-year, private, not-for-profit school in New Orleans, Louisiana. The college serves over 3,000 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Xavier offers around 50 total degree programs at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels.

In 2021, Xavier celebrated its inaugural Pride Week celebration, consisting of student events and community activities. The school also offers Safe Zone training for students, staff, and faculty.

Norfolk State University is a four-year public institution in Norfolk, Virginia. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The school serves over 6,000 students and offers about 36 bachelor's degrees, 15 master's degrees, and three doctoral degrees.

Norfolk State University's Spectrum Learning Community provides a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ students during their first year of college. Students in the learning community participate in focused discussions on LGBTQ+ issues, student leadership, and community activities.

Savannah State University — a four-year public institution in Savannah, Georgia — is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The school offers about 23 undergraduate degree programs and five master's degree programs. The most popular majors at Savannah State include journalism, business/commerce, and biology/biological sciences. The campus serves approximately 3,300 students.

Savannah State hosts a Safe Space Training program for students, staff, and faculty to raise awareness and knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues. The program also suggests ways students can serve as allies to LGBTQ+ individuals. The campus also offers many student organizations, including the Gay-Straight Alliance.

Morgan State University is a four-year public institution in Baltimore, Maryland. It's the largest of Maryland's HBCUs. Morgan has a total enrollment of around 7,800. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

It has more than 140 academic degree programs — from baccalaureate to doctorate. Morgan has an LGBTQ+ advisory board for faculty, staff, and students. Its mission is to create an inclusive and welcoming campus climate and increase the resources and services available to LGBTQ+ students.

There is also a student organization on campus called S.O.U.L, which stands for Students Open to Unique Loving. The Women and Gender Studies Department offers an academic minor with courses on sexuality and gender. Discussions and events are also held every semester.

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) in Washington, D.C., was originally established as the Miner Normal School in 1851. It wasn't until the 1970s that it officially became the University of the District of Columbia. 

Students can attend UDC for community college or enroll in one of the university's undergraduate or graduate programs. Like students at nearby Howard University, UDC students can enjoy visits to the nearby White House and major in programs like cybersecurity, homeland security, and urban leadership and entrepreneurship.

LGBTQ+ students find support at the Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs (CDIMA). Through CDIMA, LGBTQ+ students can participate in intergroup dialogue, awareness events, and community engagement opportunities. UDC is currently fundraising to establish the Kiburi Scholarship. This scholarship, which means "pride" in Swahili, will benefit LGBTQ+ students at UDC.

Coppin State University is a four-year public institution in Baltimore, Maryland. The school serves over 2,000 students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The most popular majors are nursing, psychology, criminal justice, and early childhood education. Coppin State University has a student-led NAACP chapter.

In 2022, the chapter led a discussion on Health Equity in the LGBTQ+ community.

The Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, prioritizes training future physicians to support people of color and underserved urban and rural populations. Morehouse students can also earn master's or doctoral degrees in public health, medical sciences, biomedical or clinical research, and neuroscience.

Morehouse School of Medicine made headlines 10 years ago when it partnered with the Association of American Medical Colleges to improve healthcare access for the LGTBQ+ population. The mostly-male school again made headlines in 2019 when it said it would accept applications from transgender men. Additionally, Morehouse trains all physician students in LGBTQ+ health issues and offers electives on topics like human sexuality.

Located in Bluefield, West Virginia, Bluefield State College was originally created to educate the children of Black coal miners in the 1890s. Today, Bluefield teaches close to 1,500 undergraduate students on a 50-acre campus.  

Students who are residents of West Virginia and eligible for Pell Grants can get additional financial assistance through the school's Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. Students can pursue programs that lead to in-demand jobs at a reduced tuition rate. 

LGBTQ+ students can look into BSC's Safe Zones Initiative or join Big Blue Pride, a student organization focusing on education, peer support, and awareness-raising efforts on campus.

Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is based in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta University and Clark College merged to form Clark Atlanta University in 1988. Atlanta University was the first university to grant graduate degrees to African American students. 

CAU is dedicated to supporting students during their education and when they enter the workforce. It has a gender-inclusive policy for its on-campus housing, provides students with a list of gender-neutral bathrooms, and helps students change their preferred names for many campus systems. CAU also has a dedicated page on its website dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ students.

LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC) is the only HBCU in Memphis, TN. LOC is the result of a merger between two institutions, Owen College and LeMoyne College, in 1968. LOC is one of many institutions that supports LGBTQ+ students by including gender identity in its non-discrimination policies.  

Students wishing to apply themselves academically can apply to be in the W.E.B. du Bois Scholars program. Students in the Scholars Program enjoy priority housing and course registration, as well as access to additional scholarship opportunities.

Claflin University, located in Orangeburg, SC, is dedicated to turning its students into visionary leaders, which is why it created the Visionary Leadership Institute. 

All students will be exposed to visionary leadership principles in their coursework, but students who want to learn more can minor in Visionary Leadership. The university also hosts a Visionary-in-Residence, including people like the U.S. Ambassador James I. Gadsden. 

Though the university is affiliated with the Methodist Church, Claflin's President released a 2019 statement reminding the Claflin community that the university is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion. The statement came in light of the Methodist Church's decision to not perform same-sex marriages or ordain LGBTQ+ individuals.