7 Best HBCUs in Texas

Read more to learn about the top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in Texas and what they have to offer prospective students.

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Updated June 8, 2023

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Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were established to give Black Americans access to education and opportunities they were being excluded from. Today, there are more than 100 HBCUs in the U.S., nine of which are in the Lone Star State.

Texas is home to many excellent colleges and universities, and its HBCUs are no exception. Attending an HBCU in Texas offers the best of both worlds: the rich cultural, community, and educational benefits of an HBCU and the vibrant experiences Texas has to offer. That’s why even celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion choose to attend an HBCU in Texas.

There are many factors you should take into consideration when choosing an HBCU, including tuition and living costs, location, graduation rates, and academic offerings. Read below to learn about the top HBCUs in Texas and what makes them stand out.

7 Best HBCUs in Texas

Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$7,253

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$22,552

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,096

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,316

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

9,248

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,253

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,552

Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,253

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,552

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

95%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,096

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,316

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

9,248

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Wiley College

Marshall, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$11,946

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,946

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

12%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

615

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,946

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,946

Wiley College

Marshall, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,946

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,946

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

12%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

615

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Texas Southern University

Houston, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$6,941

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,707

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,767

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,824

Retention Rate

51%

Students Enrolled

7,015

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,941

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,707

Texas Southern University

Houston, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,941

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,707

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

72%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,767

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,824

Retention Rate

51%

Students Enrolled

7,015

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Jarvis Christian College

Hawkins, TX4 yearCampus + Online

$10,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

53%

Students Enrolled

719

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,400

Jarvis Christian College

Hawkins, TX4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,400

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

100%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

53%

Students Enrolled

719

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Huston-Tillotson University

Austin, TX4 yearCampus

$12,569

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,569

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

56%

Acceptance Rate

100%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,200

Retention Rate

54%

Students Enrolled

1,058

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,569

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,569

Huston-Tillotson University

Austin, TX4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,569

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,569

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment

100%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$25,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,200

Retention Rate

54%

Students Enrolled

1,058

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Texas College

Tyler, TX4 yearCampus

$8,208

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,208

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

41%

Students Enrolled

764

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,208

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,208

Texas College

Tyler, TX4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$8,208

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,208

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

41%

Students Enrolled

764

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Southwestern Christian College

Terrell, TX4 yearCampus

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

50%

Students Enrolled

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,070

Southwestern Christian College

Terrell, TX4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,070

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

50%

Students Enrolled

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Frequently Asked Questions About HBCUs in Texas

How many HBCUs are in Texas?

Texas is home to nine HBCUs, seven of which are represented in the list above. The other two HBCUs in Texas are St. Philip’s College in San Antonio and Paul Quinn College in Dallas. St. Philips College is ranked in the top 20 community colleges in Texas, and Paul Quinn College was nationally recognized as HBCU of the year in 2011.

What is the top HBCU in Texas?

Prairie View A&M University is the top-ranked HBCU in Texas for academics. PVAMU students get a good return on their investment. Notable PVAMU graduates include U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Gene Upshaw, a former NFL player and coach.

Which HBCU is in Dallas?

Paul Quinn College, a faith-based liberal arts college, is the only HBCU in Dallas. The college was originally established in Austin but relocated to Dallas in 1990. Paul Quinn’s president, Dr. Michael Sorrell, was named one of the World’s Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine in 2018. One of his initiatives? Implementing a business casual dress code for students.

Additional Resources for Texas HBCU Students

HBCU Connect:HBCU Connect is a centralized hub for all things HBCU, including profiles of HBCUs, scholarship opportunities for students, and dedicated discussion forums.
United Negro College Fund:UNCF financially supports HBCUs and their students, offering scholarships for 10,000 students every year. It also advocates on behalf of HBCUs at the local, state, and national levels.
College Guide for HBCUs: Check out this college guide for HBCUs to learn about what makes HBCUs special, their known challenges, and tips for crafting a successful HBCU application.
Fastest-Growing Careers in Texas: Learn about the fastest-growing careers in Texas, such as physician assistant and operations research analyst roles, and what degrees are needed to enter these fields.
Resources for Students in Texas: These Texas student resources will walk you through planning for and choosing a college, navigating student life at a Texas college, and even planning for a career.