What to Consider When Choosing an HBCU
Your soon-to-be college experience is not something to take lightly. Whether you’re finishing out your senior year or have decided to get a college degree because you want to change career paths, you want to ensure you pick a university that meets your academic needs and professional goals.
Maybe you’ve already done some research and believe a historically black college and university (HBCU) is the type of institution you want to attend for the next four years. HBCUs provide a diverse and nurturing academic environment to give you the knowledge and experience you need to pursue your future career.
So, if you know you want to attend an HBCU but need help narrowing down your list, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn about the factors you should consider when choosing an HBCU. Or click to read why we think HBCUs are an excellent choice.
The available academic programs
Many HBCUs offer several degrees across various majors. If you haven’t already, think about what type of major you’d like to pursue. Do you want to become a nurse? If so, look at HBCUs that offer nursing programs you can apply for.
Knowing what you want to major in can possibly knock off a few schools that don’t offer a specific program you’re looking for—and save time applying for a school that doesn’t fit your academic and career goals.
Also, make sure that any academic program you choose holds accreditation. Accreditation is awarded to higher education institutions by accrediting agencies to ensure they meet specific educational standards. If you visit a school’s website, they’ll typically share information about their accreditation on one of their pages.
Where the school is located
Another factor to consider before submitting an application is where the college is located. HBCUs are all over the United States and even in the Virgin Islands. However, most of these institutions are in the South, particularly Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.
As you think about location, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I want to attend a school close to home, or am I willing to move to another city/state?
- Do I want to live in a small town or a large city?
- What are the costs of living in the area?
- Is there access to public transportation?
- What housing options are available off-campus (if you’re not living in campus housing)?
- Are there career opportunities near campus that align with my interests?
The size of the university
The size of your potential HBCU is another factor that can affect your decision. Ultimately, your choice of attending a large or smaller university comes down to your personal preference, but know that the number of students at a university can change a campus's vibes—so keep that in mind.
Also, it’s important to consider a school’s size if you want to develop more personal relationships with teaching faculty. It might be more difficult to build rapport with a professor in a class of 100+ students than in a class of 25.
But, truthfully, you’ll only get a real feel for an HBCU if you take a tour and mingle with students and staff.
How affordable the tuition is
Nobody enjoys talking about college tuition, given how expensive it can be, but it is something to consider when choosing an HBCU.
Fortunately, HBCUs typically have lower tuition rates than other higher education institutions. In fact, according to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the average tuition for attending a private university was $34,740 for the 2017-2018 academic year, compared to $18,386 for out-of-state students at the public HBCU Cheney University of Pennsylvania.
In addition to lower college tuition rates, HBCUs also ensure students have access to several financial aid opportunities to fund their education. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 90% of all undergraduates at HBCUs in the 2019-2020 academic year received some type of financial aid.
Here’s a breakdown of what types of financial aid were awarded:
- 83% received grants
- 65% took out student loans
- 4% received work-study awards
- 2% received federal veterans education benefits
- 18% had parents who took out federal Direct PLUS Loans
Knowing that you want to attend an HBCU is a good starting point, but you’ll want to dig deeper to consider other factors before submitting applications. As you research institutions, refer back to this list to ensure that the school checks off everything (or almost everything) you’re looking for to have a successful college experience.
Ready to research HBCUs?
The first step in considering an HBCU is researching and learning more about them. Appily's college search tool allows you to filter by categories that matter most to you. See HBCUs, Test Optional and Need Blind Colleges, and so much more with a single click. Then, compare them all based on the criteria that matter most to you. Just click the button to get started.
