7 Best HBCUs in Texas

This top-ranked HBCU was also the first state-supported college for Black Americans in Texas. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is located in Prairie View, Texas, which is home to less than 10,000 residents but is only 48 miles from Downtown Houston. 

Students can visit nearby Hempstead to explore the John Fairey Garden, a 30+-acre outdoor education and conservation space, or make the hour's drive to Houston, Texas, for everything the "Space City" has to offer. 

PVAMU helps first- and second-year students acclimate to college life through its Launch and Exploration programs, exposing students to the campus culture and pushing them to grow to their potential. For students that want a more global experience, there are study abroad opportunities in places like Australia, Italy, South Africa, and Great Britain.

Academically, PVAMU is world-renowned for its architecture program. PVAMU students recently won first place in the American Institute of Architect's Sandcastle Competition in Houston, beating out teams from Rice University and the University of Houston. Another architecture student was selected to support the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through HBCUs.

Wiley College is a private HBCU located close to the Texas-Louisiana border in Marshall, Texas. The liberal arts college, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023, is home to the Heman Sweatt Center for Social Good and Leadership and offers degrees in social science, education, business, and the sciences. 

Wiley College made headlines in 2021 when actor Denzel Washington's Family Foundation donated $1 million to its debate team. Denzel Washington portrayed Professor Melvin Tolson in a 2007 film about Wiley College's "Great Debaters." The debate team was renamed the "Melvin B. Tolson/Denzel Washington Forensics Society" thanks to the generous donation.

More than 22,000 people call Marshall, Texas home. Students can access art and culture through the Michelson Museum of Art and the Harrison County Historical Museum. Dallas, Tyler, and Shreveport (Louisiana) are great destinations for a weekend trip, as they're all within a 2.5-hour drive.

Texas Southern University (TSU) is one of the larger HBCUs in the nation, located in Houston, Texas. Houston is well-known for its annual Livestock Show and Rodeo, sports teams like the Dash and the Texans, and educational attractions like the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the NASA Johnson Space Center.  

TSU is approaching a significant milestone with its upcoming centennial in 2027. The 7,000+ student body has 130+ student organizations to choose from (including a club for sneaker aficionados). Students with family responsibilities can find support through Texas Southern's Center on The Family.

Admitted students can choose from wide-ranging programs, including construction or design technology, respiratory therapy, and journalism. Students that applied to TSU but were rejected can enroll in a pathway program called the Summer of Success L.E.A.P. Program. If they successfully complete the program, they can be conditionally admitted to TSU.

Jarvis Christian University (JCU) is located in Hawkins, Texas, a small town with less than 2,000 residents. Students can enjoy live music at the Red Rooster IceHouse or go on a breakfast crawl to see if Hawkins lives up to its title of "Pancake Capital of Texas." For more things to do, Tyler, Texas, is only 20 miles away. 

JCU students studying business administration can specialize in cybersecurity. They can also earn certifications, such as DevNet Specialist and CyberOps, and participate in the university's Cybersecurity Club.

Huston-Tillotson University (HT) is located in the state's capital, Austin. There's no shortage of things to do, explore, and experience in Austin. Students can watch world-class artists perform at Austin City Limits, take year-round dips in Barton Springs, or enjoy water activities at Lady Bird Lake.

Admitted students can look into the I.D.E.A.L. Summer Academy, a 6-week program where they can get a jump start on classes while connecting with other HT students. Participation in the Academy costs just over $3,000, but the cost (which includes class tuition, meals, and housing) is usually covered by grants.

While at HT, students can also apply to join the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program. If accepted, Du Bois Scholars enjoy retreats to nearby Dallas and San Antonio, a scholarship to cover four years of school, and access to honors classes like philosophy and ethics.

Texas College is in Tyler, Texas, a city with more than 100,000 residents. Tyler hosts an annual Texas Rose Festival and is home to the Tyler Rose Garden Center. Other places to explore include Tyler State Park and the Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary. 

In 2023, Texas College was named as one of several recipients of the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, which awards more than $250 million in grants for HBCUs to upgrade their internet speed and bandwidth. Through this award, Texas College will also provide students with opportunities to learn more about information technology. 

Texas College offers many extracurricular activities, including band, concert choir, and the college spirit/cheer team. Students pursuing a career in education can participate in the accredited Educator Preparation Program, which prepares students to sit for the state's teaching certification exam at the end of their undergraduate program.

Southwestern Christian College (SwCC) is located in Terrell, Texas, roughly 36 miles from downtown Dallas. History buffs can learn about World World II's largest civilian training school at the British Flying Training School Museum, and students who love shopping can find great deals at The Shops at Terrell. For something out of the ordinary, brave students can sign up for the supernatural Terrell Ghost Walk. 

In 2022, SwCC was reaccredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges after addressing concerns about their financial stability. 

Thanks to the reaccreditation, Southwestern can continue its mission to guide students in developing concepts of Christian living. Students can develop these concepts as they pursue an associate of arts, an associate of science, or a bachelor of science in religious studies.