Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities of 2024

Q: Which HBCU has the highest tuition?

Spelman College, a private liberal arts school in Atlanta, was listed as the most expensive HBCU in 2021-22. Students looking to save money and reduce their student loan debt can opt for public, in-state HBCUs.

Q: 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 students 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 for programs and scholarships and find the right fit.

Q: What GPA is needed to attend an HBCU?

Each HBCU varies in its admissions requirements. According to the College Board and U.S. Department of Education, HBCUs typically accept students with GPAs in the 2.5-3.0 range. HBCUs also may consider other factors, such as ACT/SAT scores and college entrance essays. Additionally, some HBCUs offer open admissions, meaning a student can still enroll conditionally — even if their GPA is less than 2.5.

Discover key facts about the best historically black colleges and universities in the United States.

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Updated August 9, 2024

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Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were established to make quality, accredited higher education available to Black Americans. However, these institutions never discriminated based on race. Although few white students sought admission historically, today it is not unusual to see more diverse student bodies at HBCUs. Additionally, many non-Black faculty and staff are employed at HBCUs.

There are more than 100 HBCUs across the U.S. These colleges offer a variety of educational programs and vibrant, inclusive community life.

There are many factors you should consider when deciding which college is the right fit. This guide lists some of the top HBCUs — including HBCUs offering top online programs. It can help you decide which HBCU might be the best for you.

In this Article

2024 Best Accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, FL
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is a public HBCU located in Tallahassee, Florida. Part of the State University System of Florida, FAMU enrolls nearly 10,000 students from across the United States and over 70 countries.

The school hosts 98 degree programs across 14 colleges and schools. This includes 54 bachelor programs, 29 master’s programs, three professional degree programs, and 12 doctoral programs.

Undergraduate tuition costs $2,277 for in-state students living on campus. Out-of-state tuition costs $8,250 per semester. FAMU offers some undergraduate and graduate courses online.

56%

Online Enrollment

$ 5,645

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

86%

Retention Rate

$17,585

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 21%

Students Enrolled: 9,265

Institution Type: Public

North Carolina A&T State University

Greensboro, NC
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited

North Carolina A&T State University is a public research university in Greensboro, North Carolina. This university offers 59 undergraduate degrees, 29 master’s degrees, 9 doctoral degrees, and 9 certificate programs across eight colleges.

Additionally, North Carolina A&T State University has a growing number of online programs.

Undergraduate tuition costs $3,504 for in-state students and $17,200 for out-of-state students. Graduate students pay $59 to $375 per credit hour, depending on the program.

61%

Online Enrollment

$ 3,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

74%

Retention Rate

$17,050

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 56%

Students Enrolled: 13,487

Institution Type: Public

Hampton University

Hampton, VA
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited

Hampton University, located in Hampton, Virginia, hosts over 80 academic programs that include engineering, journalism and communications, biology, nursing, counseling, and computer science.

This private university offers a wide range of degree and certificate programs that include journalism, marketing, liberal studies, music, medical science, and human resources management.

Tuition costs $26,198 plus room and board. There are also additional comprehensive fees for undergraduates.

There are 3,649 students enrolled in Hampton University, which offers 133 programs. Hampton also offers a 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

11%

Online Enrollment

$26,198

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

77%

Retention Rate

$26,198

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 76%

Students Enrolled: 3,249

Institution Type: Private

Delaware State University

Dover, DE
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited

Founded in 1891 as the State College for Colored Students, Delaware State University is a private university located in Dover, Delaware. With over 60 academic paths, Delaware State University teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in accounting, bioengineering, English, music therapy, physics, psychology, and nursing, among many other courses.

Full-time, in-state students pay $4,269 per semester, while part-time, in-state students pay $346 per credit hour for the first three credits. Out-of-state, full-time students pay $5,476.50 per semester, and part-time, out-of-state students pay $764 per credit hour.

77%

Online Enrollment

$ 7,038

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

75%

Retention Rate

$16,960

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 55%

Students Enrolled: 5,826

Institution Type: Public

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited

North Carolina Central University is a public HBCU located in Durham, North Carolina. This university offers over 100 courses between four colleges: Education, Business, Health and Science, and Arts, Social Science, and Humanities.

In the fall of 2023, North Carolina Central University accepted 1,465 new students with an average high school GPA of 3.23 and an average SAT score of 888.

In-state tuition costs $185.50 per credit hour, while out-of-state undergraduates pay $727.67. In-state graduate students pay $298.73 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $1,038.07 per credit hour.

61%

Online Enrollment

$ 3,728

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

76%

Retention Rate

$16,435

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 84%

Students Enrolled: 7,553

Institution Type: Public

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited

Winston-Salem State University is a public university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This university offers 40 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs in business leadership & entrepreneurship, social justice and advocacy, education, health science and nursing, STEM, and communications, languages, and media.

Tuition rates for in-state undergraduates are $141.71 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay $585.72. In-state graduate students pay $215.12 per credit hour, and out-of-state students pay $800.37. Students can also choose to study online.

81%

Online Enrollment

$ 3,401

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

77%

Retention Rate

$14,057

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 73%

Students Enrolled: 5,004

Institution Type: Public

Oakwood University

Huntsville, AL
4 year
Campus + Online
Accredited

Located in Huntsville, Alabama, Oakwood University is a private Seventh-day Adventist HBCU that provides a biblically-based education across eight schools and colleges.

Oakwood University has five schools with over 60 majors between them. These include chemistry, social work, nursing, political science, psychology, history, and accounting. Graduate students can select one of five degree programs that include public health and social work.

Annual tuition for resident and non-resident students costs $10,361. Oakwood offers several scholarships as well as summer school options.

46%

Online Enrollment

$18,974

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

77%

Retention Rate

$18,974

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Students Enrolled: 1,470

Institution Type: Private

Celebrate Black history and excellence in college — and learn why allyship is more important than ever.

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 as of 2019 were non-Black.

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?

Are there scholarships available for HBCU students?

What GPA is needed to attend an HBCU?

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.

Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed August 5, 2024.

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HBCU Facts and Statistics

HBCUs enroll nearly one-tenth of all Black college students across over 100 institutions in the United States. Find a list of HBCUs and more HBCU facts in our report.