Full List of HBCUs by State (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
HBCU List by State: All 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities by State & A-Z
This is the ultimate, one-stop list of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Every one of the 107 accredited Historically Black Colleges and University HBCU institutions is on this HBCU List, with enrollment numbers, tuition fees, video tours, official rankings, and direct links to each school’s website and Instagram. Bookmark this page, we keep it updated every year.
HBCU List Alphabetical
Top 20 Best HBCUs
HBCU Meaning
HBCUs by Major State
What Is an HBCU?
FAQ
HBCU List by State
Grouped by state, alphabetical within each state. Video and Instagram icons are grayed out where a school doesn’t have one publicly listed. Rank column shows the school’s 2026 Niche Best HBCU ranking (1 = best); a dash means the school falls outside Niche’s ranking criteria, see full source note below the A-Z list.
Alabama (14 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ |  |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M University Huntsville, Alabama |
7,295 | ▶️ |  |
$10,024 | $18,634 | 58% | 43 | Public · 4-year | 1875 | 🏆 |
| Alabama State University Montgomery, Alabama |
4,000 | ▶️ | |
$11,248 | $19,576 | — | 64 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Bishop State Community College Mobile, Alabama |
2,968 | ▶️ | |
$5,280 | $9,090 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1927 | 🏆 |
| Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, Alabama |
4,352 | ▶️ | |
$4,032 | $7,080 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1925 | 🏆 |
| J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College Huntsville, Alabama |
976 | ▶️ | |
$5,130 | $8,940 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1961 | 🏆 |
| Lawson State Community College Birmingham, Alabama |
2,919 | ▶️ | |
$4,980 | $8,790 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1949 | 🏆 |
| Miles College Fairfield, Alabama |
1,258 | ▶️ | |
$12,576 | $12,576 | — | 69 | Private · 4-year | 1898 | 🏆 |
| Oakwood University Huntsville, Alabama |
1,470 | ▶️ | |
$19,990 | $19,990 | — | 56 | Private · 4-year | 1896 | 🏆 |
| Selma University Selma, Alabama |
50 | ▶️ |  |
$7,200 | $7,200 | — | 86 | Private · 4-year | 1878 | 🏆 |
| Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
4,166 | ▶️ | |
$4,560 | $8,550 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1963 | 🏆 |
| Stillman College Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
744 | ▶️ | |
$11,322 | $11,322 | — | 49 | Private · 4-year | 1876 | 🏆 |
| Talladega College Talladega, Alabama |
903 | ▶️ | |
$13,866 | $13,866 | — | 61 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Trenholm State Community College Montgomery, Alabama |
1,994 | ▶️ | |
$4,770 | $8,760 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1963 | 🏆 |
| Tuskegee University Tuskegee, Alabama |
2,570 | ▶️ | |
$18,420 | $18,420 | — | 9 | Private · 4-year | 1881 | 🏆 |
Arkansas (4 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock, Arkansas |
497 | ▶️ | |
$8,760 | $8,760 | — | 82 | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1884 | 🏆 |
| Philander Smith University Little Rock, Arkansas |
769 | ▶️ | |
$13,014 | $13,014 | — | 50 | Private · 4-year | 1877 | 🏆 |
| Shorter College North Little Rock, Arkansas |
321 | ▶️ | |
$5,596 | $5,596 | Open admissions | — | Private · 2-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
2,005 | ▶️ | |
$9,375 | $17,955 | 41% | 19 | Public · 4-year | 1873 | 🏆 |
California (1 HBCU)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Los Angeles, California |
777 | ▶️ | |
$14,954 | $14,954 | 39% | — | Private (grad. medical/health) · Grad + limited undergrad | 1966 | 🏆 |
Delaware (1 HBCU)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State University Dover, Delaware |
5,826 | ▶️ | |
$8,358 | $18,280 | — | 32 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
District of Columbia (2 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard University Washington, District of Columbia |
12,886 | ▶️ | |
$28,916 | $28,916 | 41% | 3 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| University of the District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia |
3,577 | ▶️ | |
$6,152 | $13,004 | — | 22 | Public · 4-year | 1851 | 🏆 |
Florida (4 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, Florida |
2,727 | ▶️ | |
$14,794 | $14,794 | — | 52 | Private · 4-year | 1904 | 🏆 |
| Edward Waters University Jacksonville, Florida |
1,181 | ▶️ | |
$14,878 | $14,878 | — | 63 | Private · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
| Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida |
9,215 | ▶️ | |
$4,746 | $16,640 | — | 1 | Public · 4-year | 1887 | 🏆 |
| Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens, Florida |
1,137 | ▶️ | |
$16,836 | $16,836 | — | 71 | Private · 4-year | 1879 | 🏆 |
Georgia (10 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University Albany, Georgia |
6,334 | ▶️ | |
$5,934 | $16,656 | — | 39 | Public · 4-year | 1903 | 🏆 |
| Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia |
4,000 | ▶️ | |
$21,695 | $21,695 | — | 44 | Private · 4-year | 1988 | 🏆 |
| Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia |
2,605 | ▶️ | |
$5,832 | $16,554 | — | 25 | Public · 4-year | 1895 | 🏆 |
| Interdenominational Theological Center Atlanta, Georgia |
193 | ▶️ | |
$15,063 | $15,063 | — | — | Private (grad. seminary) · Master’s/Doctorate | 1958 | 🏆 |
| Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia |
2,567 | ▶️ | |
$29,468 | $29,468 | — | 11 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, Georgia |
540 | ▶️ | |
$67,314 (M.D.) | $67,314 (M.D.) | 1.6% | — | Private (grad. medical) · M.D./Grad only | 1975 | 🏆 |
| Morris Brown College Atlanta, Georgia |
253 | ▶️ | |
$9,650 | $9,650 | — | 83 | Private · 4-year | 1881 | 🏆 |
| Paine College Augusta, Georgia |
310 | ▶️ | |
$14,595 | $14,595 | — | 79 | Private · 4-year | 1882 | 🏆 |
| Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia |
2,945 | ▶️ | |
$5,902 | $16,624 | — | 35 | Public · 4-year | 1890 | 🏆 |
| Spelman College Atlanta, Georgia |
3,102 | ▶️ | |
$28,181 | $28,181 | 25% | 4 | Private · 4-year | 1881 | 🏆 |
Illinois (1 HBCU)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago State University Chicago, Illinois |
2,324 | ▶️ | |
$12,757 | $12,757 | 43% | — | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
Kentucky (2 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky State University Frankfort, Kentucky |
1,726 | ▶️ | |
$9,214 | $13,260 | Test optional | 20 | Public · 4-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
| Simmons College of Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky |
237 | ▶️ | |
$6,990 | $6,990 | 100% | 74 | Private · 4-year | 1879 | 🏆 |
Louisiana (6 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana |
1,224 | ▶️ | |
$19,610 | $19,610 | — | 36 | Private · 4-year | 1930 | 🏆 |
| Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana |
5,058 | ▶️ | |
$7,635 | $16,658 | — | 46 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Southern University and A&M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
8,226 | ▶️ | |
$9,340 | $16,720 | — | 33 | Public · 4-year | 1880 | 🏆 |
| Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana |
1,950 | ▶️ | |
$7,059 | $15,960 | — | 68 | Public · 4-year | 1956 | 🏆 |
| Southern University at Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana |
3,154 | ▶️ | |
$4,789 | $8,089 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1967 | 🏆 |
| Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana |
3,419 | ▶️ | |
$25,312 | $25,312 | — | 21 | Private · 4-year | 1925 | 🏆 |
Maryland (4 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowie State University Bowie, Maryland |
6,275 | ▶️ | |
$8,444 | $19,136 | — | 31 | Public · 4-year | 1865 | 🏆 |
| Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland |
2,006 | ▶️ | |
$7,100 | $14,023 | — | 13 | Public · 4-year | 1900 | 🏆 |
| Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland |
9,027 | ▶️ | |
$8,346 | $19,456 | 83% | 23 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Maryland |
3,177 | ▶️ | |
$9,076 | $20,122 | 96% | 41 | Public · 4-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
Michigan (1 HBCU)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design Detroit, Michigan |
~300 | ▶️ | |
— | — | — | — | Private (reopened 2021, seeking accreditation) · — | 1928 | 🏆 |
Mississippi (7 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcorn State University Lorman, Mississippi |
2,933 | ▶️ | |
$7,290 | $7,290 | — | 2 | Public · 4-year | 1871 | 🏆 |
| Coahoma Community College Clarksdale, Mississippi |
1,783 | ▶️ | |
$3,050 | $3,050 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1924 | 🏆 |
| Hinds Community College Raymond, Mississippi |
9,407 | ▶️ | |
$3,450 | $7,200 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1917 | 🏆 |
| Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi |
6,906 | ▶️ | |
$8,445 | $9,445 | 93% | 17 | Public · 4-year | 1877 | 🏆 |
| Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, Mississippi |
1,879 | ▶️ | |
$6,402 | $6,402 | — | 29 | Public · 4-year | 1950 | 🏆 |
| Rust College Holly Springs, Mississippi |
755 | ▶️ | |
$9,900 | $9,900 | — | 67 | Private · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
| Tougaloo College Tougaloo, Mississippi |
677 | ▶️ | |
$10,861 | $10,861 | — | 24 | Private · 4-year | 1869 | 🏆 |
Missouri (2 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris-Stowe State University St. Louis, Missouri |
1,400 | ▶️ | |
$5,484 | $10,116 | — | 16 | Public · 4-year | 1857 | 🏆 |
| Lincoln University (Missouri) Jefferson City, Missouri |
1,833 | ▶️ | |
$8,370 | $15,360 | — | 45 | Public · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
New York (1 HBCU)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, New York |
3,233 | ▶️ | |
$7,250 | $18,920 | 86% | — | Public · 4-year | 1970 | 🏆 |
North Carolina (11 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barber-Scotia College Concord, North Carolina |
168 | ▶️ | |
$10,686 | $10,686 | — | — | Private (unaccredited) · Certificate programs | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Bennett College Greensboro, North Carolina |
168 | ▶️ | |
$18,400 | $18,400 | — | 78 | Private · 4-year | 1873 | 🏆 |
| Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, North Carolina |
2,149 | ▶️ | |
$3,327 | $7,327 | — | 8 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
| Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, North Carolina |
6,787 | ▶️ | |
$3,969 | $7,969 | — | 6 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, North Carolina |
1,093 | ▶️ | |
$18,784 | $18,784 | — | 38 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Livingstone College Salisbury, North Carolina |
839 | ▶️ | |
$18,296 | $18,296 | — | 62 | Private · 4-year | 1879 | 🏆 |
| North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, North Carolina |
13,487 | ▶️ | |
$6,733 | $20,243 | — | 5 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
| North Carolina Central University Durham, North Carolina |
7,553 | ▶️ | |
$6,722 | $18,058 | — | 12 | Public · 4-year | 1910 | 🏆 |
| Saint Augustine’s University Raleigh, North Carolina |
1,108 | ▶️ | |
$16,884 | $16,884 | — | 60 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina |
1,067 | ▶️ | |
$16,480 | $16,480 | — | 53 | Private · 4-year | 1865 | 🏆 |
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
5,004 | ▶️ | |
$5,941 | $16,188 | — | 7 | Public · 4-year | 1892 | 🏆 |
Ohio (3 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central State University Wilberforce, Ohio |
5,434 | ▶️ | |
$6,996 | $8,996 | Test optional | 59 | Public · 4-year | 1887 | 🏆 |
| Payne Theological Seminary Wilberforce, Ohio |
124 | ▶️ | |
$21,400 | $21,400 | — | — | Private (grad. seminary) · Master’s/Doctorate | 1894 | 🏆 |
| Wilberforce University Wilberforce, Ohio |
656 | ▶️ | |
$13,250 | $13,250 | Test optional | 75 | Private · 4-year | 1856 | 🏆 |
Oklahoma (1 HBCU)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langston University Langston, Oklahoma |
1,937 | ▶️ | |
$6,863 | $14,616 | 100% | 28 | Public · 4-year | 1897 | 🏆 |
Pennsylvania (2 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney, Pennsylvania |
697 | ▶️ | |
$10,904 | $16,170 | — | 66 | Public · 4-year | 1837 | 🏆 |
| Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) Lincoln University, Pennsylvania |
1,824 | ▶️ | |
$12,264 | $18,620 | — | 40 | Public · 4-year | 1854 | 🏆 |
South Carolina (8 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen University Columbia, South Carolina |
657 | ▶️ | |
$13,340 | $13,340 | — | 26 | Private · 4-year | 1870 | 🏆 |
| Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina |
1,840 | ▶️ | |
$17,492 | $17,492 | — | 51 | Private · 4-year | 1870 | 🏆 |
| Claflin University Orangeburg, South Carolina |
1,830 | ▶️ | |
$16,476 | $16,476 | 65% | 18 | Private · 4-year | 1869 | 🏆 |
| Clinton College Rock Hill, South Carolina |
197 | ▶️ | |
$10,020 | $10,020 | Open admissions | 84 | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1894 | 🏆 |
| Denmark Technical College Denmark, South Carolina |
725 | ▶️ | |
$7,056 | $12,682 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1947 | 🏆 |
| Morris College Sumter, South Carolina |
384 | ▶️ | |
$14,980 | $14,980 | — | 80 | Private · 4-year | 1908 | 🏆 |
| South Carolina State University Orangeburg, South Carolina |
2,649 | ▶️ | |
$11,060 | $21,750 | — | 58 | Public · 4-year | 1896 | 🏆 |
| Voorhees University Denmark, South Carolina |
507 | ▶️ | |
$12,630 | $12,630 | — | 76 | Private · 4-year | 1897 | 🏆 |
Tennessee (7 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Baptist College Nashville, Tennessee |
53 | ▶️ | |
$12,474 | $12,474 | Open admissions | 85 | Private · 4-year | 1924 | 🏆 |
| Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee |
1,055 | ▶️ | |
$20,928 | $20,928 | — | 27 | Private · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
| Knoxville College Knoxville, Tennessee |
100 | ▶️ | |
$4,600 | $4,600 | Open admissions | — | Private (non-degree, unaccredited) · — | 1875 | 🏆 |
| Lane College Jackson, Tennessee |
1,010 | ▶️ | |
$11,790 | $11,790 | — | 73 | Private · 4-year | 1882 | 🏆 |
| LeMoyne-Owen College Memphis, Tennessee |
609 | ▶️ | |
$12,076 | $12,076 | — | 14 | Private · 4-year | 1862 | 🏆 |
| Meharry Medical College Nashville, Tennessee |
962 | ▶️ | |
$26,000–$80,000 | $26,000–$80,000 | — | — | Private (grad. medical) · M.D./D.D.S./Grad only | 1876 | 🏆 |
| Tennessee State University Nashville, Tennessee |
9,218 | ▶️ | |
$9,012 | $21,732 | — | 54 | Public · 4-year | 1912 | 🏆 |
Texas (9 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huston-Tillotson University Austin, Texas |
1,025 | ▶️ | |
$15,069 | $15,069 | — | 15 | Private · 4-year | 1875 | 🏆 |
| Jarvis Christian University Hawkins, Texas |
729 | ▶️ | |
$10,400 | $10,400 | — | 47 | Private · 4-year | 1912 | 🏆 |
| Paul Quinn College Dallas, Texas |
938 | ▶️ | |
$9,992 | $9,992 | — | 77 | Private · 4-year | 1872 | 🏆 |
| Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, Texas |
9,056 | ▶️ | |
$11,299 | $26,398 | — | 10 | Public · 4-year | 1876 | 🏆 |
| Southwestern Christian College Terrell, Texas |
88 | ▶️ | |
$8,132 | $8,132 | — | — | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1948 | 🏆 |
| St. Philip’s College San Antonio, Texas |
12,653 | ▶️ | |
$2,376 | $11,184 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1898 | 🏆 |
| Texas College Tyler, Texas |
642 | ▶️ | |
$10,000 | $10,000 | — | 70 | Private · 4-year | 1894 | 🏆 |
| Texas Southern University Houston, Texas |
8,632 | ▶️ | |
$9,173 | $21,443 | — | 48 | Public · 4-year | 1927 | 🏆 |
| Wiley University Marshall, Texas |
698 | ▶️ | |
$16,652 | $16,652 | — | 72 | Private · 4-year | 1873 | 🏆 |
U.S. Virgin Islands (1 HBCU)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas & St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands |
1,636 | ▶️ | |
$5,957 | $16,557 | — | 30 | Public · 4-year | 1962 | 🏆 |
Virginia (5 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton University Hampton, Virginia |
3,286 | ▶️ | |
$29,312 | $29,312 | — | 57 | Private · 4-year | 1868 | 🏆 |
| Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia |
5,783 | ▶️ | |
$9,622 | $20,790 | — | 42 | Public · 4-year | 1935 | 🏆 |
| Virginia State University Petersburg, Virginia |
4,648 | ▶️ | |
$9,154 | $20,909 | — | 37 | Public · 4-year | 1882 | 🏆 |
| Virginia Union University Richmond, Virginia |
1,860 | ▶️ | |
$13,530 | $13,530 | — | 65 | Private · 4-year | 1865 | 🏆 |
| Virginia University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, Virginia |
837 | ▶️ | |
$8,600 | $8,600 | — | 81 | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
West Virginia (2 HBCUs)
| College | Enroll. | ▶️ | |
In-state | Out-state | Accept. | Rank | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluefield State University Bluefield, West Virginia |
1,306 | ▶️ | |
$10,648 | $18,376 | — | 55 | Public · 4-year | 1895 | 🏆 |
| West Virginia State University Institute, West Virginia |
3,785 | ▶️ | |
$9,144 | $14,588 | — | 34 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
What each column shows (applies to every state table above)
College · School name (links to the official website) with city and state underneath.
Enroll. · Total enrolled students, most recent published figure (undergraduate + graduate combined).
▶️ · YouTube campus video. Tap the blue play button to watch in a full-size pop-up player. Grayed out where no official video is available.
· Official Instagram account. Tap to open the school’s Instagram profile in a new tab. Grayed out where no official account is publicly listed.
In-state · Annual in-state tuition and fees (does not include room and board).
Out-state · Annual out-of-state tuition and fees. For private schools, in-state and out-of-state are the same.
Accept. · Undergraduate acceptance rate. “Open admissions” means the school accepts all qualified applicants with no competitive selection.
Rank · 2026 Best HBCU ranking from Niche (based on U.S. Department of Education data plus student reviews), which ranks 86 of the 109 HBCUs. Schools showing a dash are 2-year community colleges, graduate-only institutions (medical schools, seminaries), or unaccredited/limited-program schools that fall outside Niche’s ranking criteria. Cross-referenced with the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best HBCUs ranking for the top schools.
Type · Public or Private, followed by 2-year or 4-year designation.
Founded · Year the institution was founded.
🏆 · Athletics website. Tap the trophy to open the school’s official sports and athletics page in a new tab.
HBCU List Alphabetical (Sortable)
All colleges published so far, alphabetical by name. Tap a column header (Enrollment, In-state, Out-state, Acceptance, Rank) to sort, useful if you’re comparing cost or size across the whole country rather than one state at a time.
| College | Enroll. ↕ | ▶️ | |
In-state ↕ | Out-state ↕ | Accept. ↕ | Rank ↕ | Type | Founded | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M University Huntsville, Alabama |
7,295 | ▶️ | |
$10,024 | $18,634 | 58% | 43 | Public · 4-year | 1875 | 🏆 |
| Alabama State University Montgomery, Alabama |
4,000 | ▶️ | |
$11,248 | $19,576 | — | 64 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Albany State University Albany, Georgia |
6,334 | ▶️ | |
$5,934 | $16,656 | — | 39 | Public · 4-year | 1903 | 🏆 |
| Alcorn State University Lorman, Mississippi |
2,933 | ▶️ | |
$7,290 | $7,290 | — | 2 | Public · 4-year | 1871 | 🏆 |
| Allen University Columbia, South Carolina |
657 | ▶️ | |
$13,340 | $13,340 | — | 26 | Private · 4-year | 1870 | 🏆 |
| American Baptist College Nashville, Tennessee |
53 | ▶️ | |
$12,474 | $12,474 | Open admissions | 85 | Private · 4-year | 1924 | 🏆 |
| Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock, Arkansas |
497 | ▶️ | |
$8,760 | $8,760 | — | 82 | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1884 | 🏆 |
| Barber-Scotia College Concord, North Carolina |
168 | ▶️ | |
$10,686 | $10,686 | — | — | Private (unaccredited) · Certificate programs | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina |
1,840 | ▶️ | |
$17,492 | $17,492 | — | 51 | Private · 4-year | 1870 | 🏆 |
| Bennett College Greensboro, North Carolina |
168 | ▶️ | |
$18,400 | $18,400 | — | 78 | Private · 4-year | 1873 | 🏆 |
| Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, Florida |
2,727 | ▶️ | |
$14,794 | $14,794 | — | 52 | Private · 4-year | 1904 | 🏆 |
| Bishop State Community College Mobile, Alabama |
2,968 | ▶️ | |
$5,280 | $9,090 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1927 | 🏆 |
| Bluefield State University Bluefield, West Virginia |
1,306 | ▶️ | |
$10,648 | $18,376 | — | 55 | Public · 4-year | 1895 | 🏆 |
| Bowie State University Bowie, Maryland |
6,275 | ▶️ | |
$8,444 | $19,136 | — | 31 | Public · 4-year | 1865 | 🏆 |
| CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, New York |
3,233 | ▶️ | |
$7,250 | $18,920 | 86% | — | Public · 4-year | 1970 | 🏆 |
| Central State University Wilberforce, Ohio |
5,434 | ▶️ | |
$6,996 | $8,996 | Test optional | 59 | Public · 4-year | 1887 | 🏆 |
| Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Los Angeles, California |
777 | ▶️ | |
$14,954 | $14,954 | 39% | — | Private (grad. medical/health) · Grad + limited undergrad | 1966 | 🏆 |
| Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney, Pennsylvania |
697 | ▶️ | |
$10,904 | $16,170 | — | 66 | Public · 4-year | 1837 | 🏆 |
| Chicago State University Chicago, Illinois |
2,324 | ▶️ | |
$12,757 | $12,757 | 43% | — | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Claflin University Orangeburg, South Carolina |
1,830 | ▶️ | |
$16,476 | $16,476 | 65% | 18 | Private · 4-year | 1869 | 🏆 |
| Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia |
4,000 | ▶️ | |
$21,695 | $21,695 | — | 44 | Private · 4-year | 1988 | 🏆 |
| Clinton College Rock Hill, South Carolina |
197 | ▶️ | |
$10,020 | $10,020 | Open admissions | 84 | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1894 | 🏆 |
| Coahoma Community College Clarksdale, Mississippi |
1,783 | ▶️ | |
$3,050 | $3,050 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1924 | 🏆 |
| Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland |
2,006 | ▶️ | |
$7,100 | $14,023 | — | 13 | Public · 4-year | 1900 | 🏆 |
| Delaware State University Dover, Delaware |
5,826 | ▶️ | |
$8,358 | $18,280 | — | 32 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
| Denmark Technical College Denmark, South Carolina |
725 | ▶️ | |
$7,056 | $12,682 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1947 | 🏆 |
| Dillard University New Orleans, Louisiana |
1,224 | ▶️ | |
$19,610 | $19,610 | — | 36 | Private · 4-year | 1930 | 🏆 |
| Edward Waters University Jacksonville, Florida |
1,181 | ▶️ | |
$14,878 | $14,878 | — | 63 | Private · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
| Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, North Carolina |
2,149 | ▶️ | |
$3,327 | $7,327 | — | 8 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
| Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, North Carolina |
6,787 | ▶️ | |
$3,969 | $7,969 | — | 6 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Fisk University Nashville, Tennessee |
1,055 | ▶️ | |
$20,928 | $20,928 | — | 27 | Private · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
| Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida |
9,215 | ▶️ | |
$4,746 | $16,640 | — | 1 | Public · 4-year | 1887 | 🏆 |
| Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens, Florida |
1,137 | ▶️ | |
$16,836 | $16,836 | — | 71 | Private · 4-year | 1879 | 🏆 |
| Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia |
2,605 | ▶️ | |
$5,832 | $16,554 | — | 25 | Public · 4-year | 1895 | 🏆 |
| Gadsden State Community College Gadsden, Alabama |
4,352 | ▶️ | |
$4,032 | $7,080 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1925 | 🏆 |
| Grambling State University Grambling, Louisiana |
5,058 | ▶️ | |
$7,635 | $16,658 | — | 46 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Hampton University Hampton, Virginia |
3,286 | ▶️ | |
$29,312 | $29,312 | — | 57 | Private · 4-year | 1868 | 🏆 |
| Harris-Stowe State University St. Louis, Missouri |
1,400 | ▶️ | |
$5,484 | $10,116 | — | 16 | Public · 4-year | 1857 | 🏆 |
| Hinds Community College Raymond, Mississippi |
9,407 | ▶️ | |
$3,450 | $7,200 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1917 | 🏆 |
| Howard University Washington, District of Columbia |
12,886 | ▶️ | |
$28,916 | $28,916 | 41% | 3 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Huston-Tillotson University Austin, Texas |
1,025 | ▶️ | |
$15,069 | $15,069 | — | 15 | Private · 4-year | 1875 | 🏆 |
| Interdenominational Theological Center Atlanta, Georgia |
193 | ▶️ | |
$15,063 | $15,063 | — | — | Private (grad. seminary) · Master’s/Doctorate | 1958 | 🏆 |
| J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College Huntsville, Alabama |
976 | ▶️ | |
$5,130 | $8,940 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1961 | 🏆 |
| Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi |
6,906 | ▶️ | |
$8,445 | $9,445 | 93% | 17 | Public · 4-year | 1877 | 🏆 |
| Jarvis Christian University Hawkins, Texas |
729 | ▶️ | |
$10,400 | $10,400 | — | 47 | Private · 4-year | 1912 | 🏆 |
| Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, North Carolina |
1,093 | ▶️ | |
$18,784 | $18,784 | — | 38 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Kentucky State University Frankfort, Kentucky |
1,726 | ▶️ | |
$9,214 | $13,260 | Test optional | 20 | Public · 4-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
| Knoxville College Knoxville, Tennessee |
100 | ▶️ | |
$4,600 | $4,600 | Open admissions | — | Private (non-degree, unaccredited) · — | 1875 | 🏆 |
| Lane College Jackson, Tennessee |
1,010 | ▶️ | |
$11,790 | $11,790 | — | 73 | Private · 4-year | 1882 | 🏆 |
| Langston University Langston, Oklahoma |
1,937 | ▶️ | |
$6,863 | $14,616 | 100% | 28 | Public · 4-year | 1897 | 🏆 |
| Lawson State Community College Birmingham, Alabama |
2,919 | ▶️ | |
$4,980 | $8,790 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1949 | 🏆 |
| LeMoyne-Owen College Memphis, Tennessee |
609 | ▶️ | |
$12,076 | $12,076 | — | 14 | Private · 4-year | 1862 | 🏆 |
| Lincoln University (Missouri) Jefferson City, Missouri |
1,833 | ▶️ | |
$8,370 | $15,360 | — | 45 | Public · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
| Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) Lincoln University, Pennsylvania |
1,824 | ▶️ | |
$12,264 | $18,620 | — | 40 | Public · 4-year | 1854 | 🏆 |
| Livingstone College Salisbury, North Carolina |
839 | ▶️ | |
$18,296 | $18,296 | — | 62 | Private · 4-year | 1879 | 🏆 |
| Meharry Medical College Nashville, Tennessee |
962 | ▶️ | |
$26,000–$80,000 | $26,000–$80,000 | — | — | Private (grad. medical) · M.D./D.D.S./Grad only | 1876 | 🏆 |
| Miles College Fairfield, Alabama |
1,258 | ▶️ | |
$12,576 | $12,576 | — | 69 | Private · 4-year | 1898 | 🏆 |
| Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, Mississippi |
1,879 | ▶️ | |
$6,402 | $6,402 | — | 29 | Public · 4-year | 1950 | 🏆 |
| Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia |
2,567 | ▶️ | |
$29,468 | $29,468 | — | 11 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, Georgia |
540 | ▶️ | |
$67,314 (M.D.) | $67,314 (M.D.) | 1.6% | — | Private (grad. medical) · M.D./Grad only | 1975 | 🏆 |
| Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland |
9,027 | ▶️ | |
$8,346 | $19,456 | 83% | 23 | Public · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Morris Brown College Atlanta, Georgia |
253 | ▶️ | |
$9,650 | $9,650 | — | 83 | Private · 4-year | 1881 | 🏆 |
| Morris College Sumter, South Carolina |
384 | ▶️ | |
$14,980 | $14,980 | — | 80 | Private · 4-year | 1908 | 🏆 |
| Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia |
5,783 | ▶️ | |
$9,622 | $20,790 | — | 42 | Public · 4-year | 1935 | 🏆 |
| North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, North Carolina |
13,487 | ▶️ | |
$6,733 | $20,243 | — | 5 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
| North Carolina Central University Durham, North Carolina |
7,553 | ▶️ | |
$6,722 | $18,058 | — | 12 | Public · 4-year | 1910 | 🏆 |
| Oakwood University Huntsville, Alabama |
1,470 | ▶️ | |
$19,990 | $19,990 | — | 56 | Private · 4-year | 1896 | 🏆 |
| Paine College Augusta, Georgia |
310 | ▶️ | |
$14,595 | $14,595 | — | 79 | Private · 4-year | 1882 | 🏆 |
| Paul Quinn College Dallas, Texas |
938 | ▶️ | |
$9,992 | $9,992 | — | 77 | Private · 4-year | 1872 | 🏆 |
| Payne Theological Seminary Wilberforce, Ohio |
124 | ▶️ | |
$21,400 | $21,400 | — | — | Private (grad. seminary) · Master’s/Doctorate | 1894 | 🏆 |
| Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design Detroit, Michigan |
~300 | ▶️ | |
— | — | — | — | Private (reopened 2021, seeking accreditation) · — | 1928 | 🏆 |
| Philander Smith University Little Rock, Arkansas |
769 | ▶️ | |
$13,014 | $13,014 | — | 50 | Private · 4-year | 1877 | 🏆 |
| Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, Texas |
9,056 | ▶️ | |
$11,299 | $26,398 | — | 10 | Public · 4-year | 1876 | 🏆 |
| Rust College Holly Springs, Mississippi |
755 | ▶️ | |
$9,900 | $9,900 | — | 67 | Private · 4-year | 1866 | 🏆 |
| Saint Augustine’s University Raleigh, North Carolina |
1,108 | ▶️ | |
$16,884 | $16,884 | — | 60 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Savannah State University Savannah, Georgia |
2,945 | ▶️ | |
$5,902 | $16,624 | — | 35 | Public · 4-year | 1890 | 🏆 |
| Selma University Selma, Alabama |
50 | ▶️ | |
$7,200 | $7,200 | — | 86 | Private · 4-year | 1878 | 🏆 |
| Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina |
1,067 | ▶️ | |
$16,480 | $16,480 | — | 53 | Private · 4-year | 1865 | 🏆 |
| Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
4,166 | ▶️ | |
$4,560 | $8,550 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1963 | 🏆 |
| Shorter College North Little Rock, Arkansas |
321 | ▶️ | |
$5,596 | $5,596 | Open admissions | — | Private · 2-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
| Simmons College of Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky |
237 | ▶️ | |
$6,990 | $6,990 | 100% | 74 | Private · 4-year | 1879 | 🏆 |
| South Carolina State University Orangeburg, South Carolina |
2,649 | ▶️ | |
$11,060 | $21,750 | — | 58 | Public · 4-year | 1896 | 🏆 |
| Southern University and A&M College Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
8,226 | ▶️ | |
$9,340 | $16,720 | — | 33 | Public · 4-year | 1880 | 🏆 |
| Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana |
1,950 | ▶️ | |
$7,059 | $15,960 | — | 68 | Public · 4-year | 1956 | 🏆 |
| Southern University at Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana |
3,154 | ▶️ | |
$4,789 | $8,089 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1967 | 🏆 |
| Southwestern Christian College Terrell, Texas |
88 | ▶️ | |
$8,132 | $8,132 | — | — | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1948 | 🏆 |
| Spelman College Atlanta, Georgia |
3,102 | ▶️ | |
$28,181 | $28,181 | 25% | 4 | Private · 4-year | 1881 | 🏆 |
| St. Philip’s College San Antonio, Texas |
12,653 | ▶️ | |
$2,376 | $11,184 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1898 | 🏆 |
| Stillman College Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
744 | ▶️ | |
$11,322 | $11,322 | — | 49 | Private · 4-year | 1876 | 🏆 |
| Talladega College Talladega, Alabama |
903 | ▶️ | |
$13,866 | $13,866 | — | 61 | Private · 4-year | 1867 | 🏆 |
| Tennessee State University Nashville, Tennessee |
9,218 | ▶️ | |
$9,012 | $21,732 | — | 54 | Public · 4-year | 1912 | 🏆 |
| Texas College Tyler, Texas |
642 | ▶️ | |
$10,000 | $10,000 | — | 70 | Private · 4-year | 1894 | 🏆 |
| Texas Southern University Houston, Texas |
8,632 | ▶️ | |
$9,173 | $21,443 | — | 48 | Public · 4-year | 1927 | 🏆 |
| Tougaloo College Tougaloo, Mississippi |
677 | ▶️ | |
$10,861 | $10,861 | — | 24 | Private · 4-year | 1869 | 🏆 |
| Trenholm State Community College Montgomery, Alabama |
1,994 | ▶️ | |
$4,770 | $8,760 | Open admissions | — | Public · 2-year | 1963 | 🏆 |
| Tuskegee University Tuskegee, Alabama |
2,570 | ▶️ | |
$18,420 | $18,420 | — | 9 | Private · 4-year | 1881 | 🏆 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
2,005 | ▶️ | |
$9,375 | $17,955 | 41% | 19 | Public · 4-year | 1873 | 🏆 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Maryland |
3,177 | ▶️ | |
$9,076 | $20,122 | 96% | 41 | Public · 4-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
| University of the District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia |
3,577 | ▶️ | |
$6,152 | $13,004 | — | 22 | Public · 4-year | 1851 | 🏆 |
| University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas & St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands |
1,636 | ▶️ | |
$5,957 | $16,557 | — | 30 | Public · 4-year | 1962 | 🏆 |
| Virginia State University Petersburg, Virginia |
4,648 | ▶️ | |
$9,154 | $20,909 | — | 37 | Public · 4-year | 1882 | 🏆 |
| Virginia Union University Richmond, Virginia |
1,860 | ▶️ | |
$13,530 | $13,530 | — | 65 | Private · 4-year | 1865 | 🏆 |
| Virginia University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, Virginia |
837 | ▶️ | |
$8,600 | $8,600 | — | 81 | Private · 4-year & 2-year | 1886 | 🏆 |
| Voorhees University Denmark, South Carolina |
507 | ▶️ | |
$12,630 | $12,630 | — | 76 | Private · 4-year | 1897 | 🏆 |
| West Virginia State University Institute, West Virginia |
3,785 | ▶️ | |
$9,144 | $14,588 | — | 34 | Public · 4-year | 1891 | 🏆 |
| Wilberforce University Wilberforce, Ohio |
656 | ▶️ | |
$13,250 | $13,250 | Test optional | 75 | Private · 4-year | 1856 | 🏆 |
| Wiley University Marshall, Texas |
698 | ▶️ | |
$16,652 | $16,652 | — | 72 | Private · 4-year | 1873 | 🏆 |
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
5,004 | ▶️ | |
$5,941 | $16,188 | — | 7 | Public · 4-year | 1892 | 🏆 |
| Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana |
3,419 | ▶️ | |
$25,312 | $25,312 | — | 21 | Private · 4-year | 1925 | 🏆 |
Rank = 2026 Best HBCU ranking from Niche, based on key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education (retention, graduation rate, cost, diversity, student life) combined with student reviews. Niche ranks 86 of the 109 HBCUs. Schools marked with a dash are two-year community colleges, graduate-only institutions (medical schools, seminaries), or specialty/unaccredited schools that fall outside Niche’s ranking criteria. Also cross-referenced with the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best HBCUs ranking. Acceptance rate marked with a dash means official data wasn’t published at time of writing; “Open admissions” means the school accepts all qualified applicants with no competitive selection.
Why I Built This HBCU List
Years ago, when I was helping students research colleges, I kept running into the same frustrating problem. If I wanted to compare Historically Black Colleges and Universities properly, I’d have to open a dozen browser tabs for each school: the college’s own website for tuition, YouTube for a campus tour video, Instagram to get a real feel for student life, U.S. News for the ranking, IPEDS for enrollment, another site for the acceptance rate, and yet another for the athletics program.
Every single school required the same tab-juggling ritual. And by the time I got through comparing five schools, half my notes were already out of date because tuition had bumped, or a video had been made private, or the ranking had shifted for the new academic year.
That gap is why I built this page. As an educator, I decided to create the one resource I wished I’d had, a complete, always-updated list of Historically Black Colleges and University HBCU institutions, all in one place, with everything you actually need to make a real decision:
- Direct link to each school’s official website
- Latest tuition (both in-state and out-of-state)
- Verified enrollment numbers
- Current undergraduate acceptance rate
- Campus video tour where available (pops out in a fullscreen player)
- Official Instagram link so you can see real student life
- Athletics and sports program link for each school
- 2026 Niche Best HBCU ranking, cross-referenced with U.S. News
- Founding year and school type (public vs private, 2-year vs 4-year)
I update every single row every year. If a video goes private, we swap it for a working one. If tuition changes, we update the numbers. If a ranking shifts, the badge changes. This is the HBCU list I wish I’d had, and now it’s here for anyone who needs it.
HBCU Meaning: What Does HBCU Stand For?
HBCU stands for Historically Black College or University. The formal legal definition, set by the Higher Education Act of 1965, is: any historically Black college or university that was established before 1964, whose principal mission was and is the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Three requirements matter here: (1) the school was founded before 1964, (2) its founding mission centered on educating Black Americans, and (3) it holds current accreditation. If a school misses any one of those, it isn’t technically an HBCU under federal law, no matter how similar its mission or student body might be today. That legal boundary is why our page lists exactly 107, plus 2 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, not more, not fewer.
HBCU vs HBCI: What’s the Difference?
You’ll occasionally see the term HBCI, which stands for Historically Black Colleges and Institutions. It’s a broader umbrella term some researchers use to include: the federally-recognized HBCUs, historically Black institutions that pre-date 1964 but have since lost accreditation, and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) founded after 1964. In everyday use, “HBCU” is the standard term, and it’s what the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Initiative on HBCUs use officially. Unless you’re reading academic research, HBCU is almost always the word you want.
Are There HBCUs Not On This List?
Yes, roughly 30 to 50 additional historically Black institutions exist in the United States that are not on our list of 107. They fall into a few categories:
- Closed HBCUs. Institutions such as Mary Holmes College (Mississippi, closed 2003), Bishop College (Texas, closed 1988), Kittrell College (North Carolina, closed 1975), Daniel Payne College (Alabama, closed 1977), Storer College (West Virginia, closed 1955), and Natchez Junior College (Mississippi, closed 1989) were once accredited HBCUs but have since closed permanently. There were roughly 121 HBCUs at their peak in the 1930s; today’s 107 reflects a century of consolidations and closures.
- Institutions that lost accreditation. A small number of historically Black schools continue to operate but have lost recognized accreditation and no longer meet the federal HBCU definition. They may still educate students, but they don’t qualify for HBCU designation until accreditation is restored.
- Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Schools like Chicago State University, CUNY Medgar Evers College, Kennedy-King College, and others serve majority-Black student populations but were founded after 1964, so they don’t meet the pre-1964 requirement. They receive similar federal support programs but aren’t officially HBCUs.
- Historically Black K-12 schools and prep academies. These aren’t colleges, so they’re outside the HBCU definition entirely, though they play an important role in the pipeline to HBCU enrollment.
The 107 schools on this page all currently hold recognized accreditation and meet the full federal HBCU definition as of 2026.
Best HBCUs: The Top 20 HBCUs in the USA
Different ranking organizations weight different criteria, U.S. News emphasizes peer assessment and graduation rates, Niche weights student reviews heavily, Forbes focuses on outcomes, and Washington Monthly rewards social mobility. The Top 20 below is a consensus list, drawn from schools that consistently rank near the top across all four major rankings. If a school appears in multiple top-25 lists, it made this consensus list.
| # | School | State | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spelman College | Georgia | Elite women’s HBCU, top academic reputation |
| 2 | Howard University | D.C. | Research powerhouse, “The Mecca” |
| 3 | Florida A&M University (FAMU) | Florida | Top public HBCU, legendary Marching 100 |
| 4 | North Carolina A&T State University | North Carolina | Largest HBCU by enrollment, engineering leader |
| 5 | Tuskegee University | Alabama | Historic legacy, engineering and veterinary medicine |
| 6 | Morehouse College | Georgia | Premier men’s HBCU, MLK Jr. alma mater |
| 7 | Xavier University of Louisiana | Louisiana | #1 producer of Black medical school applicants |
| 8 | Hampton University | Virginia | “Home by the Sea,” strong business and STEM |
| 9 | Prairie View A&M University | Texas | Top Texas HBCU, engineering and nursing strengths |
| 10 | Morgan State University | Maryland | R2 research university, urban engagement |
| 11 | Delaware State University | Delaware | Top-ranked public HBCU, aviation program |
| 12 | Alcorn State University | Mississippi | Oldest public HBCU, agriculture and nursing |
| 13 | North Carolina Central University | North Carolina | Law school, Research Triangle location |
| 14 | Elizabeth City State University | North Carolina | Best value HBCU (per Niche), aviation science |
| 15 | Winston-Salem State University | North Carolina | Nursing and health sciences leader |
| 16 | Fayetteville State University | North Carolina | Business and criminal justice programs |
| 17 | Jackson State University | Mississippi | “Thee I Love,” Deion Sanders-era athletics fame |
| 18 | Claflin University | South Carolina | Small private, strong biological sciences |
| 19 | Bowie State University | Maryland | Oldest HBCU in Maryland, technology programs |
| 20 | Virginia State University | Virginia | Land-grant HBCU, agriculture and business |
Ranking sources: Niche 2026 Best HBCU Colleges, U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best HBCUs, Forbes America’s Top Colleges (HBCU subset), and Washington Monthly College Guide 2026. See the sortable A-Z list further down for full ranking numbers by school.
HBCUs by Major State: Deep Dives
Four states, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, together host over a third of all Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country. Each has a distinct HBCU culture, athletic conference, and academic identity. The sections below give you a quick, honest overview of each state’s HBCU landscape.
Black Colleges and Universities in Texas
Texas is home to 9 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, making it one of the most HBCU-dense states in the country and the largest concentration west of the Mississippi. The African American colleges in Texas range from major research universities to intimate liberal arts colleges, and cover both public and private, four-year and two-year institutions.
The two flagship Texas HBCUs are Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View) and Texas Southern University (Houston). Prairie View is the state’s oldest HBCU (founded 1876), a land-grant institution known for strong engineering, nursing, and architecture programs. Texas Southern, located in central Houston, is the largest HBCU in Texas by enrollment and houses the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, one of only six HBCU law schools in the country.
Other notable Black colleges and universities in Texas include Huston-Tillotson University (Austin), the oldest institution of higher learning in Austin regardless of race; Wiley University (Marshall), whose 1935 debate team defeated USC and inspired the film “The Great Debaters”; Paul Quinn College (Dallas), pioneering a national urban work-college model; and Jarvis Christian University (Hawkins), Texas College (Tyler), Southwestern Christian College (Terrell), and St. Philip’s College (San Antonio), the only HBCU that’s also a federally-recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Black Colleges and Universities in Florida
Florida is home to 4 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and while the count is smaller than some Southern states, the African American colleges in Florida punch well above their weight in national reputation and cultural influence.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee is the state’s flagship public HBCU and one of the top-ranked public HBCUs in the entire country. FAMU consistently ranks in the top 5 of both U.S. News and Niche’s Best HBCUs lists. Its Marching 100 band is arguably the most celebrated marching band in American college football, having performed at Super Bowls, presidential inaugurations, and international events. FAMU is particularly strong in pharmacy, engineering (via the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering), and business.
Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach was founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, one of the most influential Black educators in American history. Edward Waters University in Jacksonville is Florida’s oldest independent institution of higher learning and its first HBCU, founded in 1866. Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens rounds out the group, serving South Florida with strong aviation and criminal justice programs.
Black Colleges and Universities in Georgia
Georgia hosts 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the metropolitan Atlanta area alone accounts for one of the highest concentrations of HBCUs in the world. The African American colleges in Georgia include some of the most academically prestigious HBCUs anywhere.
The Atlanta University Center Consortium is the largest contiguous consortium of African American higher education institutions in the world, bringing together Spelman College (the top-ranked HBCU nationally, women-only), Morehouse College (the premier all-male HBCU, alma mater of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), Clark Atlanta University (formed by the 1988 merger of Atlanta University and Clark College), Morehouse School of Medicine (one of only four Black medical schools), and the Interdenominational Theological Center (a consortium of six historically Black seminaries). Students can cross-register between these schools.
Beyond Atlanta, Fort Valley State University (Fort Valley) and Savannah State University (Savannah) are Georgia’s two public HBCUs, both land-grant institutions with strong agricultural, marine science, and STEM programs. Albany State University (Albany), Paine College (Augusta), and Morris Brown College (Atlanta, recently restored to accreditation) complete the group.
Black Colleges and Universities in North Carolina
North Carolina has 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, tied with Alabama for the most in any single state. The African American colleges in North Carolina span the state from the coast to the mountains and include the largest HBCU in the country by enrollment.
North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro) is the largest HBCU in the United States by student enrollment (13,000+ students) and one of the top producers of Black engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and psychologists in the nation. NC A&T is also the site of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins, a foundational moment in the civil rights movement, when four A&T students refused to leave a segregated Woolworth lunch counter.
North Carolina Central University (Durham) sits in the Research Triangle and offers one of six HBCU law schools. Winston-Salem State University is nationally recognized for nursing and health sciences. Fayetteville State University is a top-ranked public HBCU with a strong military-connected student body given its proximity to Fort Bragg. Elizabeth City State University on the Outer Banks offers one of the country’s only HBCU aviation science degree programs.
North Carolina’s private HBCUs include Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte), Livingstone College (Salisbury), Saint Augustine’s University (Raleigh), Shaw University (Raleigh, the oldest HBCU in the South, founded 1865), and Bennett College (Greensboro, one of only two remaining all-women’s HBCUs alongside Spelman). Barber-Scotia College (Concord) rounds out the state’s group.
What Is an HBCU? What Does HBCU Stand For?
HBCU stands for Historically Black College or University. Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, an HBCU is officially defined as any college or university established before 1964 whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that holds accreditation from a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
HBCUs were founded because Black students were largely barred from attending existing colleges and universities, particularly in the South, where segregation laws made it illegal. The first, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, opened in 1837. Most HBCUs were founded in the decades following the Civil War, often with support from religious denominations, Northern philanthropists, and the Freedmen’s Bureau.
Quick facts:
- 107 HBCUs currently operate in the United States, in 23 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Alabama has the most HBCUs of any state, with 14
- HBCUs include both public and private institutions, and both 2-year and 4-year colleges
- HBCUs are open to students of all races. The “historically Black” designation refers to founding mission, not current enrollment eligibility
- 27 HBCUs offer doctoral programs, 52 offer master’s programs, 83 offer bachelor’s degrees, and 38 offer associate degrees
Is Howard a HBCU?
Yes. Howard University, founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., is one of the most well-known HBCUs in the country. It’s sometimes nicknamed “The Mecca” by its students and alumni for its influence on Black culture and leadership, and it’s informally referred to by some as the “Black Harvard”, though Howard’s own identity and legacy stand apart from any comparison. Howard was ranked the #1 HBCU by Forbes in its 2024–2025 America’s Top Colleges list, and #2 by U.S. News & World Report in 2026.
Top HBCU Rankings
Two major publications rank HBCUs each year, using different methodologies:
- U.S. News & World Report ranks based on academic quality indicators including retention rate, graduation rate, and peer assessment. Spelman College has held the #1 spot for 19 consecutive years, followed by Howard University, Morehouse College, Tuskegee University, and Florida A&M University.
- Forbes ranks based on return on investment: graduate earnings, student debt, and career outcomes. Forbes named Howard University the #1 HBCU in its inaugural 2024–2025 ranking.
What Did Obama Do for HBCUs?
In 2010, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13532, reestablishing and expanding the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The order aimed to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide high-quality education, increase federal funding participation, and support institutional advancement. The initiative has continued, in varying forms, under subsequent administrations.
HBCU Frequently Asked Questions
How many HBCUs are there?
There are 109 accredited HBCUs in the United States as of 2026. This includes the 107 institutions on the U.S. Department of Education’s core list plus two additional operating HBCUs (Payne Theological Seminary and Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design) that some lists omit. They’re located in 23 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The overall number is down from a peak of around 121 institutions in the 1930s; some have closed or merged over the decades.
How many HBCUs exist in America?
Same answer as above: 107 + 2. The number includes both public and private schools, and both 2-year and 4-year institutions.
What state has the most HBCUs?
Alabama has the most HBCUs of any state, with 14. North Carolina is second with 11, and Georgia is third with 10.
What is the #1 HBCU in America?
It depends which ranking you use. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Spelman College the #1 HBCU for 19 consecutive years running, based on academic quality measures. Forbes, which ranks by graduate return-on-investment, named Howard University the #1 HBCU in its 2024–2025 list.
What HBCU is the “Black Harvard”?
Howard University is the HBCU most commonly given this nickname informally, owing to its academic reputation, influential alumni, and its location in Washington, D.C. Howard itself is more often referred to by its own students and alumni as “The Mecca.”
What did Obama do for HBCUs?
In 2010, President Obama signed an executive order reestablishing the White House Initiative on HBCUs, aimed at increasing these institutions’ capacity, federal funding access, and institutional advancement. See the fuller answer above for more detail.
Is Howard a HBCU?
Yes, Howard University is one of the most prominent HBCUs in the country, founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C.
What is an HBCU?
An HBCU (Historically Black College or University) is a college or university established before 1964 with the mission of educating Black Americans, as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965. HBCUs are open to students of any race today.
What does HBCU stand for?
HBCU stands for Historically Black College or University.
Are HBCUs only for Black students?
No. HBCUs admit students of any race or background. “Historically Black” refers to the school’s founding mission and history, not a current-day enrollment restriction. Many HBCUs today have meaningfully diverse student bodies.
What is the oldest HBCU?
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837 (originally as the Institute for Colored Youth), is generally recognized as the oldest HBCU.
What is the largest HBCU by enrollment?
North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro is the largest HBCU in the United States by enrollment, with approximately 13,000 students. It has held the top enrollment spot for over a decade and continues to grow.
What is the smallest HBCU?
Among fully-operating four-year HBCUs, several private schools have enrollments under 500, including Selma University, Barber-Scotia College, and Simmons College of Kentucky. Small size often means small class sizes and close faculty-student relationships.
How much does an HBCU cost?
HBCU tuition varies widely. Public HBCUs typically charge $3,000 to $12,000 per year for in-state students and $10,000 to $22,000 for out-of-state students. Private HBCUs range from $10,000 to $30,000+ per year. HBCUs are on average significantly more affordable than comparable non-HBCU institutions, and roughly 70% of HBCU students receive Pell Grants.
Do HBCUs offer good financial aid?
Yes. HBCUs collectively enroll roughly 10% of all Black college students but produce a disproportionate share of Black graduates, in part because they excel at meeting financial need. Federal Pell Grants, HBCU-specific scholarships (such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the UNCF), state grants, and school-based aid all combine to make HBCUs among the most financially accessible four-year colleges in the country.
What are the “Divine Nine” and are they connected to HBCUs?
The Divine Nine refers to the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Iota Phi Theta. Eight of the nine were founded at HBCUs (Howard University is the founding site of five). Divine Nine chapters exist at both HBCUs and predominantly white institutions.
Which HBCUs have medical schools?
There are four HBCU medical schools: Howard University College of Medicine (D.C.), Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN), Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta, GA), and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (Los Angeles, CA). Together they produce a significant share of Black physicians in the United States.
Which HBCUs have law schools?
Six HBCUs have ABA-accredited law schools: Howard University School of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Southern University Law Center, Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Florida A&M University College of Law, and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.
Do HBCUs have good sports programs?
Yes, and HBCU sports have their own passionate culture. Most HBCUs compete in one of three major HBCU-focused athletic conferences: the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), or the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). HBCU football games are famous for their halftime shows, where marching bands often become the main event. The annual Bayou Classic (Grambling vs Southern) and Magic City Classic (Alabama A&M vs Alabama State) are among the largest attended games in Black college football.
What percentage of Black college students attend HBCUs?
HBCUs enroll approximately 10% of all Black college students in the United States but produce roughly 20% of all Black bachelor’s degrees, 25% of Black STEM degrees, and 40% of all Black engineers. The graduation rate for Black students at HBCUs is significantly higher than at non-HBCU institutions.
Are HBCUs safe?
HBCU campuses have safety records comparable to other American colleges of similar size and setting. Individual campus safety varies by location. Prospective students and families should review each school’s federally-required Clery Act crime statistics, available on every college’s website, and visit campuses in person before committing.
Do HBCUs offer online degrees?
Yes. Many HBCUs now offer fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Notable HBCU online programs include Hampton University Online, Florida A&M University Online, Fayetteville State University Online, Bowie State University Online, and Howard University Online, among many others. Online tuition is often the same as (or lower than) on-campus tuition for that school.
What HBCUs are historically Black women’s colleges?
There are two remaining historically Black women’s colleges in the United States: Spelman College (Atlanta, GA), founded 1881, and Bennett College (Greensboro, NC), founded 1873 (co-ed until 1926, women-only since). Both continue to educate women exclusively at the undergraduate level.
Is Morehouse College the only all-male HBCU?
Yes. Morehouse College in Atlanta is the only remaining all-male HBCU and one of only a few all-male colleges of any kind in the United States. It was founded in 1867.
What’s the difference between HBCU and PWI?
HBCU stands for Historically Black College or University, an institution founded before 1964 with the mission of educating Black Americans. PWI stands for Predominantly White Institution, which describes any college where the student body is majority white, regardless of when it was founded or its historical mission. Most American colleges are PWIs.
Can international students attend HBCUs?
Yes. HBCUs actively recruit international students and typically have dedicated international student services offices. Common home countries for HBCU international students include Nigeria, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Ghana, Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago, and increasingly China, India, and other Asian nations. International students at HBCUs pay out-of-state tuition rates.
What famous people went to HBCUs?
The list is enormous. A very partial sample: Vice President Kamala Harris (Howard), Thurgood Marshall (Lincoln PA + Howard Law), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Morehouse), Oprah Winfrey (Tennessee State), Toni Morrison (Howard), Spike Lee (Morehouse), Chadwick Boseman (Howard), Taraji P. Henson (Howard), Anthony Anderson (Howard), Erykah Badu (Grambling State), Wanda Sykes (Hampton), Samuel L. Jackson (Morehouse), Common (Florida A&M), Diddy (Howard, briefly), Stacey Abrams (Spelman), Alice Walker (Spelman), Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Walter Payton (Jackson State), and Deion Sanders (Jackson State head coach, 2020-2023).
Do HBCUs offer graduate programs?
Yes. Many HBCUs offer master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees across a wide range of fields. Howard University, for example, offers more than 120 areas of study across 13 schools and colleges, including PhD programs and professional schools of law, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. Other research-active HBCUs with strong graduate offerings include Morgan State, Jackson State, Tennessee State, North Carolina A&T, Prairie View A&M, and Florida A&M.
What’s the acceptance rate at HBCUs?
Acceptance rates at HBCUs vary widely. Selective HBCUs like Spelman, Howard, Hampton, and Xavier of Louisiana have acceptance rates in the 40-60% range. Many public HBCUs (Alabama A&M, Tennessee State, Prairie View A&M) have acceptance rates of 60-80%. Community colleges and open-admissions HBCUs accept all qualified applicants. See the individual school listings above for each school’s current acceptance rate.
Are HBCUs accredited?
Yes, all 109 institutions on this Historically Black Colleges and Universities list hold current accreditation from a recognized regional or national accrediting agency. Accreditation is required for federal financial aid eligibility, for credit transfers to other schools, and for graduates to pursue graduate school or professional licensure. If a school ever loses accreditation, it is removed from this list until accreditation is restored.