HBCU, What Does It Stand For?

HBCU stands for historically Black college and university. These schools promote a safe and diverse learning environment, allowing minority students to succeed professionally and academically. They have a powerful history of providing education, community, and social influence. HBCUs are essential higher education institutions founded to provide education and opportunities to minority students.

What is an HBCU?

According to the US Department of Education, an HBCU is "any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964" with the primary goal of educating Black Americans [1]. These schools also must have accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency.

Currently, more than 100 HBCUs operate in the United States, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees [2]. Most HBCUs are in southeastern states, with over one-third of these schools located in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina combined [2].

US News & World Report ranks Howard University in Washington, DC, as one of the best schools in the country and has awarded the most PhD degrees to African American students compared to other universities. Atlanta's Spelman College earned a spot as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the US. Take a look at other notable HBCUs:

• Cheyney University: This school in Pennsylvania opened in 1837, making it the nation's first HBCU.

• Morehouse College: Atlanta's all-male school has more Rhode's Scholars alums than any other HBCU. 

• Tuskegee University: One of Alabama's best-known HBCUs, this school is home to the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site.

• Xavier University of Louisiana: The only historically Black Catholic university in the country, this school's founder received the honor of canonization as a saint in 2000.

History of HBCUs

The history of HBCUs dates back to before the Civil War, when Cheney (1837), Lincoln (1854), and Wilberforce (1856) opened their doors to students. Most of the HBCUs in operation today were founded between 1865 and 1900 as an extension of the work of the American Missionary Association and the Freedman's Bureau. In 1890, the Second Morrill Land-Grant Act gave states land to establish land-grant schools and ensure Black students had equal access to higher education. Florida A&M, Alabama A&M, South Carolina State University, and West Virginia State University are among the 19 land-grant universities made possible through the law.

Benefits of attending HBCUs

One of the many advantages of attending an HBCU is affordability. You can receive a quality education for around one-third the cost of similar schools. However, students choose HBCUs for various reasons, including the following benefits.

Cost

The tuition at HBCUs tends to be more affordable than non-HBCU schools, which means you can get a quality education at a fraction of the cost. The UNCF estimates that the costs of attending HBCUs are around 28 percent lower than non-HBCU institutions [3]. In addition to lower tuition and fees, these schools also provide significant financial aid packages and grants to students as part of their mission to give underrepresented minority students access to higher education. Your financial aid package can include scholarships, grants, and subsidies for books, school supplies, transportation, and more.

Read more: What Does FAFSA Stand For?

Community

Community is at the heart of HBCU campuses, and they provide an inclusive experience for students of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds grounded in the belief that anyone who wants to go to college should be able to attend.  The campuses are vibrant, and students have the freedom to celebrate and share their backgrounds. Faculty and staff support students as they pursue their education, and you can develop strong relationships with your professors and classmates.

Culture

One of the unique cultural benefits of attending an HBCU is the opportunity to deeply immerse yourself in Black history and culture, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging. You also enjoy interactions with a diverse community from various African diaspora backgrounds, which enhances this rich, inclusive environment. Students at HBCUs experience a living legacy of historical significance and cultural pride, creating a supportive atmosphere where those around them celebrate Black culture daily.

Networking

The supportive environment you encounter on an HBCU campus extends beyond graduation through the unique networking opportunity you enjoy as an alumnus. HBCUs have impressive alumni associations that allow you to connect with other graduates as you enter the workforce. The people you meet during college can become lifelong friends, and you never know when a fellow alum will be able to assist you in your career and other endeavors. 

Read more: What Is Networking? How to Grow Your Network

Who can attend HBCUs?

Anyone who meets admission requirements can attend an HBCU. Although the principal goal of HBCUs was to create a refuge and safe space to educate Black students, the demographics of the student bodies have evolved. In 2022, nearly one-fourth of the students attending HBCUs were non-Black, an increase from 15 percent in 1976 [4]. Three HBCUs are single-gender campuses. Moorehouse is an all-men's school in Atlanta. North Carolina's Bennett College and Atlanta's Spelman are all-women's schools. 

Notable HBCU alumni

HBCU graduates have become government leaders, CEOs, and international prize winners. Some notable alumni from various HBCUs include:

• W.E.B. Du Bois, Fisk University

• Kamala Harris, Howard University

• Zora Neale Hurston,  Howard University

• Martin Luther King Jr,  Morehouse College

• Thurgood Marshall,  Howard University

• Toni Morrison, Howard University

• Spike Lee, Morehouse College

• Booker T. Washington, Hampton University

• Ida B. Wells, Rust College

• Oprah Winfrey,  Tennessee State University

Next steps

HBCUs provide minority students with a supportive and culturally enriching educational environment, fostering professional and academic success. They offer affordable education, a strong sense of community, and unique networking opportunities, all while celebrating and preserving Black history and culture.

On Coursera, you can take courses from institutions like Howard University to explore what classes at an HBCU may look like. Courses like Introduction to Information Systems for Business Specialization can provide a glimpse into the coursework at one of the top HBCUs in the US. You can also explore courses like Designing and Building Institutional Anti-Racist Spaces to learn more about cultural equity and how to promote social change.