Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)
Feeling at home on campus can make all the difference in your college experience. So it makes sense to look for schools that offer you the support to be yourself and learn in an environment tailored to your needs.
One way to do that is to consider specialized learning institutions, like Historically Black Colleges & Universities. If you're a high school student looking for a transformative college experience, here's what you need to know about HBCUs.
What Are Historically Black Colleges & Universities?
Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) are educational institutions founded in the United States to serve the African American community. These institutions have a rich history and legacy of providing quality education, fostering leadership, and promoting social advancement.
Why Are HBCUs Important?
HBCUs offer a unique environment that celebrates and embraces Black cultural heritage, experiences, and achievements. Consider the following reasons to consider attending an HBCU:
Cultural Identity:
- HBCUs provide a nurturing and inclusive space to connect with peers who share your cultural background, traditions, and experiences. This sense of belonging fosters a strong community and allows you to embrace your cultural identity fully.
Empowering Support System:
- HBCUs often have faculty, administrators, and staff who understand and identify with the challenges and experiences faced by Black students. This representation and support system can provide mentorship, guidance, and a network of professionals who can relate to your journey.
History and Legacy:
- Attending an HBCU makes you part of a rich historical legacy. These institutions have been at the forefront of Black education and civil rights movements, fostering a sense of pride, empowerment, and social responsibility. They even have a distinguished and noteworthy group of alumni.
Benefits of Attending an HBCU
Attending an HBCU has many benefits that can positively impact your personal and professional growth. Here are the key advantages:
Supportive Learning Environment:
- HBCUs prioritize student success and provide a supportive learning environment. With smaller class sizes, accessible faculty, and dedicated support services, you'll receive personalized attention, mentoring, and resources to excel academically.
Culturally Relevant Education:
- HBCUs integrate African American history, perspectives, and contributions throughout their curricula. This provides a unique lens through which you can explore various academic disciplines, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation.
Leadership Development:
- HBCUs have a strong emphasis on leadership development. You can develop essential leadership skills, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact through mentorship programs, student organizations, and community engagement opportunities.
Professional Networks and Connections:
- HBCUs often have extensive networks that connect students with successful African American professionals, alumni, and organizations. These connections can open doors to internships, mentorship, and career opportunities specific to your field of interest.
How You Can Use This List of Historically Black Colleges & Universities
The Historically Black Colleges & Universities on this list offer a transformative college experience that celebrates African American culture, empowers students, and provides a strong foundation for future success. By attending an HBCU, you can embrace your cultural heritage, access personalized support, and benefit from educational programs tailored to your needs.
Howard University is an HBCU comprised of 13 schools and colleges located two miles from the US Capitol. Nationally-ranked programs at HU include social work, business, and communication sciences and disorders. Howard has three honors programs for...
I have learned more in the past year at Howard than I can honestly put into words. I have learned so much about Architecture my first year that I can confidently draft floor plans and elevations of a structure, and make a decent model of it, whereas...
” – Devon from Arlington, VA
Spelman College is an historically Black college and the first in history for women only, which is still the college's primary focus today. The most selective women's college in the nation, Spelman has also topped US News & World Report's list of...
It's EXPENSIVE...but well worth it...to afford it, just keep on top...better yet, AHEAD, of your scholarship searches and info...you'll make it just fine...
” – Chastity from College Grove, TN
Southern University and A & M College is a 4-year public Historically Black College and University in Baton Rouge and the flagship institution of the Southern University System. A member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, SUBR is Louisiana’s...
You get out of this experience whatever you put into it. It is your choice to go to class everyday because noone is going to hold your hand. The teachers are great and there are several tutoring programs on campus.
” – Cassie from Greensburg, LA
Xavier University of Louisiana is an historically black college and university (HBCU) located in New Orleans. This 4-year, liberal arts institution is one of 10 to receive a Building Infrastructures Leading to Diversity (BUILD) award for their...
At Xavier professors care, they are always available to you. Xavier being a small school your classes are a lot smaller and you get the chance to interact with your professors and really get an understanding of what they are teaching. Also when you...
” – Antoinette from Washington, DC
Tuskegee University is a 4-year private school and an Historically Black College and University in east Alabama. Tuskegee offers bachelor’s degrees in over 65 academic majors and is the only HBCU to house a fully-accredited College of Veterinary...
I'm a freshman at Tuskegee and I just finished my 1st semester. As an Animal Poultry and Veterinary Science Major I have learned so much more than I expected. I was expecting to only become a Vet with my major but our APSC 100 class taught me to open...
” – A. Smith
Founded in 1887, the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is an Historically Black College and University in Tallahassee and the only public HBCU in the state of Florida. Florida A&M is home to 12 colleges and schools granting bachelor’s...
The professors come from all over the world and are always willing to share their personal perspective upon request...
” – Karl from Dallas, TX
Founded in 1891, Delaware State University is a public Historically Black College and University in the state capital of Dover. Delaware State is home to colleges of Humanities, Agriculture, Business, and Health Sciences conferring undergrad degrees...
Learning is a fundamental thing at this school. Don't take your education for granted becuase the classroom size is small enough for you to ask as many questions when there is something not understood.
” – Karis from Suitland, MD
Founded in 1868 after the Civil War to provide education to freedmen, Hampton University is an Historically Black College and University on the Virginia Peninsula. Hampton is home to eight undergraduate colleges conferring bachelor’s degrees and...
Hampton University is an excellent school when it comes to academics.l The professors are very interested in their students. They provide office hours as well as email addresses in order for their students to contact them. All of my professors...
” – Asia from Winterville, NC
Founded in 1879, Florida Memorial University is an HBCU affiliated with the Baptist Church. It is a member of the United Negro College Fund and offer pre-college youth programs focused on the academic future of surrounding community members. A...
fmu is a great university i really enjoy the things i achieved since i been here
” – Latifah from Tampa, FL
North Carolina Central University is a 4-year public school in the Research Triangle and an Historically Black College and University. NCCU is home to six colleges and schools granting undergraduate degrees in 32 academic majors and is the first...
Most teachers are passionate about their jobs and they love being at North Carolina Central University. Teachers are always available outside of class to offer you help whenever you need it. There are also so many other resources to use on campus...
” – A Proud Eagle from Raleigh, NCFounded in 1867, Johnson C Smith University is a private HBCU and research institution. JCSU is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and associated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is a member of the United Negro College Fund and home to Biddle...
At Johnson C. Smith University I will learn a lot about the field I'm going to major in which is Health Education. I will also learn more about the history of my school. How? Who? What? Where? All the need to know bases.Time management. I will learn...
” – Lanee
Founded in 1896 as an educational institution for freedmen, Oakwood University is a Christian school in northern Alabama and an Historically Black College and University. Operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Oakwood is home to schools of...
The faculty at Oakwood is wonderful. The teachers don't only teach the information in the textbook, but they also teach from the Bible. This is great because, in the end, the only wisdom that will truly count is what we learn from the Bible and...
” – Kelcie from Madison, AL
Wiley College is a private HBCU and liberal arts college. It is associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Liberal arts and humanities, nonprofit and public management, and police and criminal justice are the top fields of study. It is a member...
Wiley College is the place to be. This is the opportunity to learn about your history while becoming apart of history! Everyone can succeed at Wiley College!
” – JASMINE from Dallas, TX
Winston-Salem State University is an Historically Black College and University and a public constituent institution of the University of North Carolina. WSSU is the country’s only HBCU to offer a Motorsports Management degree and its Department of...
At Winston Salem State University I have learned a ton of new things, and also I have fun while learning and that's the best part! Some of the new things I have learned are the proper ways to write persuasive essays,how to act as an adult (being...
” – Brittany from Durham, NC
One of the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation, Texas Southern University is a 4-year public institution in Houston. TSU is home to 12 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees in over 100 academic majors...
Texas Southern University is a fine institution, despite all the negative trash people say about it. Taking courses in chemistry, biology, and math at this college really made me see the important role that the classes played not only in science, but...
” – Brittany from Houston, TX
Lincoln University is a public, historically black institution established in Oxford, Pennsylvania, with a satellite location in Philadelphia. The 422-acre main campus is home to over 50 buildings built as early as 1899. The college offers nearly 40...
Lincoln University was not one of my first choices, however, I am glad that I decided to attend. Many of the courses I have taken have professors who are very good with communicating information to the students. I have learned numerous things that...
” – Nicholas from Washington, DCFounded in 1890, North Carolina A&T State University is a public Historically Black College and University and the state’s first land-grant university for people of color. N.C. A&T is home to nine colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees...
I just graduated from A&T in May, and I feel more than ready to begin my Master's of Accounting program at The Ohio State University. Not only am I prepared, but I also managed to get a scholarship for my Master's and for the CPA Exam (which I am...
” – Winnie from Greensboro, NC
Claflin University is a private HBCU and independent institution based in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The school provides a career-oriented liberal arts education. It is a member of the United Negro College Fund and affiliated with the United...
Yes, I've learn so much that I earn 20 credit hrs. as a first semester freshmen in the spring of 2009, and haved accumulated a 3.33 GPA.
” – Michael from Columbia, SC
Founded in 1895, Fort Valley State University is a 4-year public public school in central Georgia and an Historically Black College and University. Part of the University System of Georgia, FVSU is home to colleges of Arts & Sciences, Agriculture...
College is totally different than high school. You not only learn about academics but you also learn life lessons.
” – Ashley from College Park, GA
Founded in 1866, Fisk University is a private HBCU and the oldest university in Nashville, Tennessee. Fisk University is a member of the United Negro College Fund and its Victorian architecture-style campus is recorded in the National Register of...
At Fisk, professors aren't the only ones you learn from. It's the students.
I am reminded everyday that, I sit in class next to some of the brightest minds in the country!
