Lists of Historical Black Colleges and Universities

Alabama State University is one of two public four-year historically black colleges in Alabama. Nine freed slaves known as the "Marion Nine" created this school almost a century and a half ago. The university offers 31 bachelor's degrees and 11 master's degrees.

Well-respected among Historical Black Colleges and Universities, they are known for their Marching Hornets band. Like other HBCU colleges and African American Universities, they offer a unique learning environment.

Founded in 1871, Alcorn State University ranks 26th, nationwide, among historical black colleges & universities. With over 2,900 students, Alcorn State University offers degrees in liberal arts and sciences and is a top choice among HBCU and African American Universities. Additional campuses located in Natchez and Vicksburg offer MBA and Nursing concentrations. Alcorn State University has quickly become known among black colleges for creating leaders in fields including education, human services and nursing.

Benedict College is one the largest private, HBCU in the region. It was started in 1870 by a Baptist mission society to help educate former slaves from the Civil War era. Among historical black colleges & universities, it offers numerous degree programs in a wide range of studies including liberal arts, education, science, and engineering. With several black colleges in the South Carolina region, Benedict College has built a reputation among African American Universities.

Bishop State Community College is a two-year, public HBCU. Started in 1927 to offer additional courses for teachers, this school has grown into one of the top black colleges in the region. Now providing both technical and academic programs, Bishop State Community College is a popular alternative to other larger African American universities. Students often move onto other historical black colleges & universities to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree program.

Since its 1865 trailblazing beginning as one of America's few Black colleges, Bowie State University has evolved into a multi-level degree school. As an HBCU, or historical black colleges & universities, it has an ethnically varied faculty and student population. As part of the network of African American universities, it gives students of color in-depth tools for exploring their own culture while preparing them to work in America's diverse society.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the oldest of the Black Colleges and African American Universities on the list of Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) in America. It was founded in 1837 by Richard Humphreys.

Cheyney offers baccalaureate degrees in over 30 disciplines and a Master's Degree in education. Graduates of Cheyney have assumed leadership roles in the fields of government, education, law, science, and journalism, as well as other areas.

Clark Atlanta University is one of many African American Universities on the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) list. Atlanta University was one of the original Black Colleges providing teachers and librarians to southern schools. In 1988, Clark College and Atlanta University merged forming Clark Atlanta University.

Clark Atlanta University is dedicated to developing students intellectually and personally, preparing them to be leaders in their communities and fields of study.

Coahoma Community College is one of the Black Colleges and African American Universities on the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) list. It began as an Agricultural High School for Negroes in 1924. The Junior College curriculum was added in 1949. In 1989 it became Coahoma Community College and provides educational services to a five-county service area.

Coahoma offers 2-year associate's degrees, community classes and GED and online testing services.

Coppin State University is one of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). Coppin is one of the African American universities offering courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Like many black colleges, Coppin has famous alumni in such fields as law enforcement (Bishop L. Robinson), politics (Vera Welcome), and professional sports (Larry Stewart).

Denmark Technical College, one of the country's Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), provides cost-accessible education to students with various educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. Denmark Tech, like several black colleges, offers courses in a variety of fields. Programs offered by Denmark include associate degrees, certifications, and diplomas. Upon completion of programs, students are equipped to continue on to other colleges and African American universities, should they choose.

Edward Waters College offers undergraduate degrees. Edward Water College is one of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) and, as is the case with African American universities throughout the country, serves students who may otherwise find higher education inaccessible. Like many black colleges, EWC has a racially and socio-economically diverse student body.

Fayetteville State University, one of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), has become a highly respected postsecondary institution within the University of North Carolina System. Fayetteville State is one of the fully accredited African American universities to offer courses in a number of fields. Like many black colleges, FSU has a number of alumni who have become professional ball players, such as Blenda Gay and Sylvester "Junkyard Dog" Ritter.

Florida A&M University is one of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), is one of the State University System of Florida's institutions. FAMU is one of the fully accredited African American universities to offer courses in the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Like many black colleges, FAMU has a number of alumni who have achieved positions of notoriety within their respective fields.

For 120 years, Fort Valley State University has built a student body rich in African-American culture. One of three Historical Black Colleges & Universities in Georgia, it offers 50 bachelor and masters degrees. This HBCU boasts the second largest public campus not only among African American universities, but in Georgia also. Like many black colleges, it encourages students to build a strong commitment to personal and intellectual growth.

Grambling State University is a leader among Historical Black Colleges & Universities with a 384-acre campus. The school is one of many African American universities home to legendary football coaches like Eddie Robinson. The HBCU offers 46 academic programs across a variety of subjects, with nationally-recognized excellence nursing, business, computer science and education. It was the first of the black colleges to host a sitting President in its marching band.

Harris-Stowe University, formerly Harris-Stowe College, is the first of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities to be an education institution for public teachers. With HBCU, they are one of the oldest black colleges, their degree programs focus on education. As many African American universities, they currently offer 12 different academic studies in Information Systems, Computer Technology, Business Administration, Urban Specialization, Teacher Education, and General Education.

Howard University, one of the great African American universities and flagship of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), offers a comprehensive set of academic programs. The distinguished black college has a long list of notable alumni, including poet Toni Morrison, actress Phylicia Rashad, Sen. Ed Brooke, Mayor David Dinkins, Ambassador Patricia Harris and many others.

It is located on 258 acres in the vibrant Washington, D.C.

The Interdenominational Theological Center is an affiliation of denominational seminaries located in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Founded in 1958, the Interdenominational Theological Center is one of the 105 Historical Black Colleges& Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The Interdenominational Theological Center works with HCBUs, as well as with other black colleges and African American universities, to jointly provide an array of resources for its students.

A member of the 105 Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Jackson State University has grown from one of many small black colleges in the late 1800s to one of the major African American universities today. JCU welcomes capable students of all diverse backgrounds who strive for excellence. JCU has built a reputation for its achievements in computational computing, education and human development, communications technology, homeland security and nanotechnology.

Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), a member of the 105 Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, is one of the Best Comprehensive Colleges in the South. Historically a Black College, JCSU is ranked highly among its fellow HBCUs and other African American Universities and has a great reputation for its technological integration. JCSU currently provides laptop computers to every student.

Founded in 1875 and now considered one of 105 Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Knoxville College enrolls 600 black students in a private, four-year, coeducational, liberal arts curriculum. Knoxville maintains a strong history of commitment to its surrounding community and black colleges, encouraging its students to work with members of the local community, while advancing the educational and practical experience of its students at the same time.

Founded in 1897 as one of many black colleges and African American universities, Langston University is a part of the nation's Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Langston University has developed an international reputation for excellence in the field of agricultural research. Langston University currently maintains an open door admissions policy, enrolling a diverse student body and strives to educate individuals to become leaders in their communities.

Founded in 1928 and located in Detroit, Michigan, Lewis College of Business is one of many black colleges, distinguished by its inclusion in the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). Lewis College of Business offers business and liberal arts degrees. Lewis College of Business seeks to provide socially relevant applications of knowledge, as do other African American universities.

Founded in 1866 as one of the black colleges, Lincoln University of Missouri is a distinguished member of the national Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). Lincoln University of Missouri now offers degrees in the liberal arts, business and the sciences. While historically one of the African American universities, Lincoln now provides a compressive array of educational programs to a diverse student population.

Founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1876, Meharry Medical College was the first black medical college in the south for African Americans. As a distinguished member of the nation's Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), Meharry Medical College is the largest private African American University dedicated to educating health care professionals and scientists. Notable alumni of Meharry Medical College include accomplished physicians across the United States and throughout the world.

Mississippi Valley State University is one of the leading Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the south. This black college prepares students for life following school, training graduates with skills designed for success. MVSU faculty, counselors and staff are present to develop skills at undergraduate and graduate levels. MVSU is a leader amongst African American universities, with curriculum tailored for a successful education and career.

Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine has made a name for itself by being the first medical school established among Historical Black Colleges & Universities. This HBCU is fully accredited and offers the best medical doctorate and master degrees throughout all black colleges and African American universities. Morehouse School of Medicine created the Satcher Health Leadership Institute to eliminate disparities in public health.

Founded in 1881 and considered a historically black college, Morris Brown College is one of 105 Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the United States. Located near Atlanta, this African American university offers technology programs, scientific research opportunities and a liberal arts education to African American men and women in a small classroom setting. Among notable alumni are business leaders and former and current NFL athletes.

For 75 years, Norfolk State University has served as a HBCU and member of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Boasting one of the largest student bodies among black colleges and African American universities in Virginia, Norfolk State offers two doctorates, 15 masters and 36 undergraduate degrees. Norfolk State University strives to offer the highest quality yet most affordable education throughout all historical black colleges & universities.

Boasting the #1 public HBCU ranking by US News & World Report two years in a row, North Carolina Central University is a prominent member of Historical Black Colleges & Universities. Offering over 80 undergraduate and 40 graduate degrees, North Carolina Central University provides students one of the biggest varieties of educational opportunities among black colleges and African American universities in North Carolina.

Founded by the United Methodist Church, Paine College is a small HBCU located in Augusta, Georgia. Providing quality liberal arts education is its mission, and like many black colleges and African American universities, Paine instills ethical and spiritual values into graduates. Among the oldest historical black colleges & universities, Paine boasts a long list of notable alumni, including Shirley McBay, the first African-American Dean at MIT, and author, film writer Frank Yerby.

Like many black colleges and African American universities across the country, Philander Smith College was founded on the principles of educating recently freed slaves. As a four-year undergraduate HBCU, Philander Smith College offers major and minor degree programs in business, education, social sciences, arts and physical sciences. Philander Smith College is known among Historical Black Colleges & Universities as having the youngest HBCU president, Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough.

One of ten Historical Black Colleges & Universities founded before 1868 and still operating, Rust College continues to educate students in the values of the United Methodist Church and HBCU. Using a fast-paced 8-week semester system not typically found among black colleges and African American universities, Rust College offers associates and bachelor degrees in 16 areas of study, including Biology, Business and Computer Science.

Savannah State University is known as the oldest of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) in Georgia. The campus is over 173 acres to hold its growing alumni enrollment. One of the very few black colleges that offer four different research centers, of the African American universities in existence, this may be the fastest growing.

As the oldest HBCU in the South, Shaw University has humble beginnings among Black Colleges and African American Universities. The first college organized for African Americans, Shaw University was created at the end of the Civil War to teach freedom to a new generation of students. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in Education, Theology and Liberal Arts at one of the original Historical Black Colleges and Universities.

South Carolina State University is a public, four-year college. Although this school is one of many Historical Black Colleges & Universities, it welcomes people of all races and ethnicities. It strives to deliver the highest standard of education possible, as do all African American universities. Graduates of this school have become scholars, just as others have from other black colleges.

Southern University at New Orleans is one of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) offering comprehensive curriculums tailored to the cultural and educational needs of the New Orleans metro area. Like other African American Universities, it has an Honors Program producing distinguished alumni. Though this Black College was decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has been rebuilt and renovated with new resources and refurbished facilities.

Members of Churches of Christ founded Southwestern Christian College and continue to sponsor it. Offering a Bachelor's Degree in Bible and Religious Education and an Associate Program in Liberal Arts, SCC is home to one of only twenty still-standing historical Round Houses in the nation. It is one of nine Black Colleges and African American Universities on the list of Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) in Texas.

St. Augustine's College is one of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) founded in 1867 by Episcopal clergy for the education of freed slaves. This private institution serves the African American students of North Carolina and the United States. The college offers a degree in film production and it was the first HBCU operating its own commercial radio and television stations.

Stillman College is the second-oldest HBCU in Alabama. This private liberal arts college, one of 11 black colleges in Alabama, is noted for its biological sciences, teacher education and business administration programs. A leader among African American universities, Stillman scored in the top tier for Southern schools according to the U.S. News and World Report. A leader among historical black colleges & universities in the south, Stillman offers a well-rounded education.

Tennessee State University, while undergoing numerous changes since its founding, is one of 105 Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) in the US. Located in Nashville, TSU is a comprehensive land-grant university, offering many degrees, including numerous doctoral programs. TSU has a history of promoting athletics as exemplified by it being the first of the black colleges/African American universities to win a national basketball title.

Texas College, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, is located in Tyler, TX, and is affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. As a HBCU, this African American university provides quality academics to a diverse array of students, and awards baccalaureate and associate degrees. Texas College is renowned for the commitment to service at this black college, as well as for personal attention for students.

Founded in 1963, Trenholm State Technical College is a two-year technical college that is one of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). Just like other black colleges or African American universities, Trenholm State offers its career-oriented programs to a diverse range of students. The emphasis to the educational programs offered by Trenholm State is on preparing its students for careers in global, national and local industries.

Although one of the youngest among black colleges and African American universities in the country, The University at the Virgin Islands was founded in 1962 and is a fully accredited four-year HBCU. It officially became one of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities in 1986 and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, education, liberal arts, nursing and mathematics.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, one of the Historical Black Colleges & Universities, is a public institution providing both graduate and undergraduate degrees. As an HBCU, the University offers quality academics to a diverse array of students, focusing on those who are first-generation college attendees. As one of the black colleges/African American universities, it provides values-based learning opportunities and a unique focus on multiculturalism.

Virginia State University (VSU) was established as an African American university and is among the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). VSU founder, John Mercer Langston, was the first black man elected to the United States Congress. Following this example, VSU alumni are known as business leaders, artists, public servants and military officers. This black college offers a comprehensive educational program, concentrating on liberal arts, engineering, business and agriculture.

Founded in 1886, Virginia University of Lynchburg is distinguished as one of the nation's 105 Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). African-American Baptists founded the coeducational black college, which is committed to relying upon Judeo-Christian values and a philosophy of self-help. The Just as all of the other black colleges and African American universities, VUL offers degrees in various fields and concentrations.

Founded in 1891 as a land grant Black College, West Virginia State University has evolved from offering an applied education in agriculture and mechanical arts to a career-oriented curriculum. As one of the African American Universities, West Virginia State University is one of 105 Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States that offers a range of Associate and Bachelor degrees.

Wiley College is a historically black college in Marshall, Texas. There are many Historical Black Colleges & Universities in the United States. Wiley College, however, is one of the oldest black colleges west of the Mississippi. Like many African American universities, Wiley College played an instrumental role in the U.S. Civil Rights movement. As an HBCU today, it has a powerful debate team and instills a strong work ethic in students.