HBCU stands for Historically Black College or University—a college or university established before 1964 with the founding mission of educating Black Americans, at a time when they were largely excluded from other institutions of higher education. HBCU quick facts at a glance:
102 accredited HBCUs operating in the U.S., as of 2026, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
The number of HBCUs differs by sources because tracking criteria may vary. Some lits may include unaccredited colleges (Knoxville College), branch locations, or only those that participate in financial aid programs.
HBCUs were founded primarily between 1837 and the early 1900s, with the earliest, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, established in 1837.
HBCUs represent about 3% of the nation’s four-year nonprofit colleges and universities and enroll roughly 11% of all African American college students, according to UNCF’s 2025 Fact Sheet.
16% of bachelor's degrees earned by Black students nationally come from HBCUs, according to the same UNCF report.
HBCU average tuition is roughly 34% lower than comparable institutions, according to the same UNCF report.
HBCUs generate an estimates $16.5 billion in national economic impact annually, according to the White House Initative on HBCUs.
At Collegewise, we take moments to acknowledge and celebrate the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, paying special attention to the vital role they’ve played in the education and empowerment of African Americans.
To help students determine whether an HBCU is the right college fit for them, we've put together a complimentary resource that outlines the history of HBCUs, key characteristics, and recent shifts impacting HBCUs in the college admissions landscape. Click here to download our free resource, or read on for the abridged version.
The first HBCUs were established in the 19th century, primarily in response to the lack of educational opportunities for African Americans due to segregation and discrimination. The earliest HBCUs were founded before the Civil War, with institutions like Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (1837) and Wilberforce University (1856) leading the way.
The period following the Civil War saw a significant expansion of HBCUs. The Second Morrill Act of 1890, also known as the Agricultural College Act of 1890, required states with racially segregated educational systems to provide land-grant institutions for Black students if the states were to receive federal funding for land-grant colleges. This led to the establishment of many new HBCUs, often as land-grant institutions, including institutions such as Tuskegee University and Florida A&M University. During the Jim Crow era, HBCUs faced immense challenges due to racial segregation laws and unequal funding compared to predominantly white institutions (PWIs).
Despite these obstacles, HBCUs remained vital centers of learning and cultural development for African American communities. They provided avenues for higher education, professional training, and leadership development for African Americans who were excluded from white institutions.
HBCUs played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Many students and faculty members from HBCUs were active participants in protests, sit-ins, and other forms of activism to combat racial segregation and discrimination. Following the Civil Rights Movement, HBCUs continued to evolve, expanding their academic offerings and contributing to the advancement of African American communities.
Considering the role HBCUs have played in closing the wealth gap for African Americans:
HBCUs have been a popular ground for recruitment in various industries, especially in the technology sector.
Many companies, particularly in the tech industry, have recognized the importance of diversity and inclusion in their workforce. As part of their diversity initiatives, these companies actively seek to recruit talent from underrepresented groups, including African American students attending HBCUs. By partnering with HBCUs and participating in career fairs and recruitment events on campus, tech companies aim to attract diverse candidates and build more inclusive teams.
Tech companies often establish internship and co-op programs specifically targeted at students from HBCUs. These programs provide students with hands-on experience, exposure to industry professionals, and opportunities to work on real-world projects. By participating in internship programs at tech companies, HBCU students gain valuable skills, expand their professional networks, and increase their chances of securing full-time employment in the tech sector after graduation.
Tech companies often partner with HBCUs to support academic programs, research initiatives, and student development efforts. These partnerships may involve funding for STEM education initiatives, sponsorship of student organizations, or collaboration on research projects.
HBCUs have a long history of producing a substantial number of African American medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. HBCU medical schools also contribute to research on healthcare disparities, addressing the unique healthcare needs of underserved communities and advocating for health equity.
HBCUs have a strong tradition of producing African American lawyers and legal professionals who are critical in advancing social justice, civil rights, and advocacy efforts. HBCU law schools often emphasize social justice, public interest law, and community advocacy, inspiring students to use their legal education to address systemic inequalities and promote positive change in their communities. Many HBCU law schools have active civil rights and human rights clinics, where students gain hands-on experience working on cases related to racial justice, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and other pressing social issues.
HBCUs have made significant contributions to the advancement of African Americans in the arts across various disciplines, including music, literature, theater, visual arts, and dance. In fact, some of the world’s most famous Black artists graduated from HBCUs.
HBCUs provide access to higher education for many African American students who might not have the opportunity to attend predominantly white institutions (PWIs) due to various barriers, including financial constraints, systemic inequalities, and historical discrimination. By offering affordable tuition, scholarships, and financial aid packages tailored to the needs of minority students, HBCUs make higher education more accessible, thereby empowering individuals to pursue lucrative career paths and increase their earning potential. They play a crucial role in addressing educational inequities, promoting diversity in higher education, and nurturing the next generation of African American leaders and professionals.
One of the best measures of HBCUs’ success is the achievements of their alumni. Over 150 years, HBCUs have produced generations of leaders, innovators, and trailblazers in virtually every field. Here are just a few notable HBCU alumni and the impact they’ve made in various industries:
Today, there are 102 accredited HBCUs in the United States as of 2026, including public and private institutions offering diverse academic programs across various fields and continuing to serve as important centers of academic excellence, cultural preservation, and community engagement.
A resurgence in interest in HBCUs is a direct result of recent political and social shifts in the United States. Although HBCUs were initially founded to uplift Black communities, today HBCUs enroll students of all races and backgrounds. In this next section, we'll highlight some trends we're seeing and how they impact future applicants.
Enrollment trends reveal both historical growth and a recent leveling off. HBCU enrollment grew from more than 222,000 students in 1976 to a peak of over 326,000 in 2010, then eased somewhat. As of fall 2022 (the most recent year with complete federal data), HBCUs enrolled just under 290,000 students combined, a net 30% increase since 1976, according to Pew Research Center's analysis.
The racial makeup of that enrollment has shifted alongside the growth. Black student enrollment at HBCUs rose 15% between 1976 and 2022, far below the 117% increase among students of other races and ethnicities attending these same schools. At the same time, Black students' overall reliance on HBCUs has declined: 18% of all Black college students attended an HBU in 1976, versus just 9% in 2022.
Despite enrolling a shrinking share of Black students, HBCUs still produced 16% of all bachelor's degrees earned by Black students in the 2021-2022 year.
These figures predate the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling ending race-conscious admissions, and Pew's analysis notes that enrollment patterns may shift as a result. The application surges some HBCUs, including Morehouse College, which saw a 34% increase in applications in 2024, have reported since then may be an early sign of exactly that shift. Overall, HBCU enrollments were up about 4$ in spring 2024, even as many colleges elsewhere saw declines.
Beyond the aggregate numbers, HBCU composition has seen tremendous shifts in recent years. Most HBCUs remain majority Black, but some HBCUs, including St. Philip's and West Virginia State University, had Black students making up less than half the student body. This begins to underscore how much "HBCU" describes the founding mission.
Recent political and policy shifts have directly affected HBCUs, bringing both new support and new challenges. HBCUs represent only about 3% of four-year nonprofit colleges and universities in the U.S., yet they award roughly 16% of all bachelor's degrees earned by Black students. In 2020, federal initiatives responded to the importance of HBCUs by announcing additional funding in support of these colleges. In April 2025, a new executive order reestablished the White House Initiative on HBCUs, stating a goal of strengthening HBCU capacity and innovation.
Policy in this space continues to shift, and given how much HBCUs rely on targeted scholarships and culturally specific programs, it's worth checking each school's current funding and policy standing directly in your research.
Strong college research starts with understanding your priorities, distinguishing the nice-to-haves and non-negotiables. Begin by asking the following questions:
Connecting with current and former students can offer a valuable perspective. Many HBCUs offer virtual student panels, social media Q&As, college visits, and more. These are great avenues to ask questions, such as:
If you're the parent of a student visiting an HBCU, these questions can help you evaluate fit:
Not every HBCU is the same. While many HBCUs maintain similar admissions policies to other colleges, there are some key considerations to take note of during your college research:
HBCUs offer the standard range of courses across liberal arts and STEM majors, but some have unique academic offerings that may sway your college decisions. For example, Tuskegee University,
Delaware State University and Hampton University have some of the only aviation HBCU programs. To learn more about each school's academic programs and course offerings, be sure to review the college's official website.
HBCUs are more than just institutions for learning; they are engines of Black excellence. HBCUs are well-known for their strong networking opportunities, commitment to community, strong alumni networks, and wide range of leadership and growth initiatives. If you're a student who demonstrates curiosity, ambition, and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society, you may want to consider an HBCU.
If you'd like college research support or weighing HBCUs against your other target colleges, connect with us today to learn how to build a college list with a counselor that fits your priorities, budget, and goals.
Two primary avenues facilitate applications to multiple HBCUs: the Common App and the Common Black College Application (CBCA). Each offers unique benefits tailored to prospective students.
The CBA offers a streamlined and cost-effective method to apply to numerous HBCUs simultaneously.
Participating Institutions: The CBCA collaborates with over 50 HBCUs across the United States, providing a broad spectrum of options for applicants.
Application Fee: A one-time, non-refundable fee of $20 allows students to apply to all member institutions, significantly reducing the financial burden associated with multiple applications.
Registration: Create an account on the CBCA website.
Application Completion: Fill out the application form with the required educational information.
Fee Payment: Submit the $20 application fee via PayPal or by mailing a money order.
Transcript Submission: Request that your school counselor upload your official transcript through the CBCA platform.
Test Scores: Upload standardized test scores (if available) through your student dashboard. Note that some member institutions may be test-optional; it's recommended to verify specific requirements with each institution.
Top Four Choices: While the application is made available to all member institutions, applicants are prompted to select their top four choices. Some institutions may prioritize processing applications where they are listed among these top choices.
A large proportion of HBCU students come from low- and middle-income families, so financial aid utilization is high. One cornerstone of aid is the Federal Pell Grant. States also often provide need-based grants that can be used at their public HBCUs (and sometimes private ones). For example, Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship can significantly reduce costs for students attending public HBCUs like Albany State or Fort Valley State.
HBCUs themselves offer institutional scholarships, both merit-based and need-based. Some of the more prestigious HBCUs (Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, etc.) have competitive merit scholarships that
cover large portions of tuition for high-achieving students (such as Howard’s Capstone Scholars or Spelman’s Dean’s Scholarships).
Additionally, there are scholarship programs specifically for HBCU students provided by external organizations. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a major scholarship source, especially for students at private HBCUs.
Beyond grants and scholarships, HBCU students can and do use federal student loans to cover remaining costs. Students considering HBCUs should absolutely file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize their aid eligibility and look into the many scholarships designated for HBCU attendees. With Pell Grants, state aid, institutional aid, UNCF/TMCF scholarships, and manageable loans, an HBCU education can often be obtained with minimal out-of-pocket cost, especially relative to the lifelong benefits it provides.
For many families, cost is the deciding factor, and it's one of the strongest cases for HBCUs. UNCF's member HBCUs keep average tuition roughly 34% lower than comparable institutions. Below is a detailed list of HBCU tuition rates compared to similar institutions:
| HBCU College | Tuition (2026) |
| Spelman College | ~$30,042 per year. |
| Howard University | ~$37,996 per year. |
| Morehouse College | ~$31,026 per year. |
| Tuskegee College | ~$22,480 per year. |
| Florida A&M University | ~$5,697.30 - $19,291.20 per year. |
Lower sticker prices are only part of the picture, however. On top of federal aid like the Pell Grant and FAFSA-based awards, several scholarships are worth bookmarking to bring costs down further:
Put together, an HBCU education tends to cost significantly less out-of-pocket than a comparable private institution, while still delivering strong outcomes, networks, and opportunities for students. For example, graduates account for an estimated $146 billion in added lifetime earnings, according to UNCF's 2025 FAQ.
That value matters especially for first-generation families, who make up a large share of HBCU students. Approximately 65% of Black/African American college students have first-generation status. If you're the parent of a first-generation student, look specifically for scholarships and support programs that name first-gen status as an eligibility factor; many HBCU financial aid offices flag these separately from general need-based aid.
Choosing whether an HBCU is the right fit isn't just about history and rankings; it's about finding a campus culture, cost structure, and support system that sets your student up to succeed. Many of the components of college planning can weigh heavily on parents, especially for those balancing HBCUs against other schools, or navigating first-generation college planning for the first time.
This is exactly where a Collegewise counselor earns their keep. We help families:
If you're weighing an HBCU for your student, discover how our college admissions counseling can provide personalized support in building a list that fits your student, or grab a free 45-minute consultation to learn about our various programs
About Us: With more than twenty-seven years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the family. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for your student to be their best self - whether in the classroom, the applications, or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, lead to 4x higher than average admissions rates.