HBCU Colleges List: 107 Great Education Options to Consider

If you want to learn more about the HBCU colleges, you’re at the right spot; we’ve compiled a list of all the accredited Black colleges and the states where they are located. Let’s start with the basics and explain what Historically Black Colleges and Universities are and what that acronym means before we move on.

What is an HBCU?

The letters “HBCU” are an acronym for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They are schools that were founded on the belief that every student deserves access to a college or higher education, dating back to the early 1800s.

When segregation was legal, these establishments began to take shape and grow. Providing black Americans with opportunities to pursue higher education was a game-changer in their fight to advance economically and socially. Today, students of all races are welcome at historically black colleges.

How many HBCU schools are there?

The US Department of Education has given the HBCU label to 107 schools, both public and private. In 2020, there were 101 accredited black colleges in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Out of the 101 HBCUs, 52 were public schools and 49 were private schools that gave back to the community, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended defines an HBCU as:

“Any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary of Education.”

What are the best HBCU colleges in the country?

Where are Historically Black Colleges and Universities located?

There are more HBCUs in the southeastern United States than in any other region. Alabama is home to a number of historically black colleges and universities. Browse the states where HBCUs are located using the interactive map provided below. 

Map of HBCUs

HBCU Colleges List by State

Alabama

There are a total of 14 HBCUs in the state of Alabama, making it the state with the most black colleges in the country. Nine of the 14 are 4-year universities, while the other 5 are 2-year community colleges. 

School	Type	Location
Alabama A&M University	Public, 4 Year	Normal, AL
Alabama State University	Public, 4 Year	Montgomery, AL
Bishop State Community College	Public, 2 Year	Mobile, AL
Concordia College (Alabama)	Private, 4 Year	Selma, AL
Gadsden State Community College	Public, 2 Year	Gadsden, AL
Lawson State Community College	Public, 2 Year	Birmingham, AL
Miles College	Private, 4 Year	Fairfield, AL
Oakwood University	Private, 4 Year	Huntsville, AL
Selma University	Private, 4 Year	Selma, AL
Shelton State Community College	Public, 2 Year	Tuscaloosa, AL
Stillman College	Private, 4 Year	Tuscaloosa, AL
Talladega College	Private, 4 Year	Talladega, AL
Tuskegee University	Private, 4 Year	Tuskegee, AL
J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College	Public, 2 Year	Huntsville, AL

Arkansas

Four HBCUs can be found in the state of Arkansas; only one of these is a public university (and the largest of the four), while the other three are private and all clustered around Little Rock.

School	Type	Location
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	Public, 4 Year	Pine Bluff, AR
Arkansas Baptist College	Private, 4 Year	Little Rock, AR
Philander Smith College	Private, 4 Year	Little Rock, AR
Shorter College	Private, 2 Year	Little Rock, AR

California

The only HBCU on the west coast of the United States is in California. The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private graduate school. It was started in 1966 because people in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, didn’t have enough access to health care. 

School	Type	Location
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science	Private, 4 Year	Los Angeles, CA

Delaware

Delaware State University (DSU) is the only historically black college in Delaware. DSU is a public land-grant research university known for its diverse student body, which includes people from 41 states and 15 countries.

School	Type	Location
Delaware State University	Public, 4 Year	Dover, DE

Washington, District of Columbia

Washington, D.C., has two black colleges that have one or more colleges in addition to their main campuses. Howard University was founded in 1867, and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) was founded in 1851. UDC is the only public university in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

School	Type	Location
Howard University	Private, 4 Year	Washington, D.C.
Howard University College of Medicine	Private, 4 Year	Washington, D.C.
Howard University School of Law	Private, 4 Year	Washington, D.C.
University of the District of Columbia (UDC)	Public, 4 Year	Washington, D.C.
UDC David A. Clarke School of Law	Public, 4 Year	Washington, D.C.

Florida

If you want to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Florida, you have four options: Florida A&M University and Edward Waters University in north Florida; Bethune-Cookman University in the central part of the state; and Florida Memorial University in south Florida.

School	Type	Location
Bethune-Cookman University	Private, 4 Year	Daytona Beach, FL
Edward Waters College	Private, 4 Year	Jacksonville, FL
Florida A&M University	Public, 4 Year	Tallahassee, FL
Florida A&M University College of Law	Public, 4 Year	Orlando, FL
Florida Memorial University	Private, 4 Year	Miami Gardens, FL

Georgia

After Alabama, Georgia has the second largest number of HBCUs in a single state. There is a mix of private and public options for black colleges in Georgia to choose from, some of which are the top historically black colleges in the nation.

School	Type	Location
Albany State University	Public, 4 Year	Albany, GA
Fort Valley State University	Public, 4 Year	Fort Valley, GA
Savannah State University	Public, 4 Year	Savannah, GA
Clark Atlanta University	Private, 4 Year	Atlanta, GA
Interdenominational Theological Center	Private, 4 Year	Atlanta, GA
Morehouse College	Private, 4 Year	Atlanta, GA
Morehouse School of Medicine	Private, 4 Year	Atlanta, GA
Morris Brown College	Private, 4 Year	Atlanta, GA
Paine College	Private, 4 Year	Augusta, GA
Spelman College	Private, 4 Year	Atlanta, GA

Kentucky

In Kentucky, there are two Historically Black Colleges and Universities to consider. Kentucky State University, founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons, and Simmons College of Kentucky, founded in 1879 and accredited as the nation’s 107th HBCU.

School	Type	Location
Kentucky State University	Public, 4 Year	Frankfort, KY
Simmons College	Private, 4 Year	Louisville, KY

Louisianna

There are seven HBCUs in Louisiana. Five of them are public, and one of them is a law school. The other two are private. Grambling State University, which opened in 1901 in Grambling, LA, and Southern University and A&M College, which opened in 1880 in Baton Rouge, LA, are two of the most popular HBCUs in Louisiana and the state. 

School	Type	Location
Grambling State University	Public, 4 Year	Grambling, LA
Southern University and A&M College	Public, 4 Year	Baton Rouge, LA
Southern University Law Center	Public, 4 Year	Baton Rouge, LA
Southern University at New Orleans	Public, 4 Year	New Orleans, LA
Southern University at Shreveport	Public, 2 Year	Shreveport, LA
Dillard University	Private, 4 Year	New Orleans, LA
Xavier University of Louisiana	Private, 4 Year	New Orleans, LA

Maryland

The state of Maryland is home to four public Historically Black College and Universities. Two are located in Baltimore, MD, and the remaining two are in Bowie and Princess Anne, MD. The oldest of the universities in Maryland is Bowie State University, founded in 1865 as the “Baltimore Normal School.”

School	Type	Location
Bowie State University	Public, 4 Year	Bowie, MD
Coppin State University	Public, 4 Year	Baltimore, MD
Morgan State University	Public, 4 Year	Baltimore, MD
University of Maryland Eastern Shore	Public, 4 Year	Princess Anne, MD

Mississippi

Mississippi’s seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities are scattered. There are five public and private four-year schools. Two public two-year universities remain. Jackson State University, founded in 1877 in Jackson, MS, has more students than any other Mississippi HBCU. 

School	Type	Location
Alcorn State University	Public, 4 Year	Lorman, MS
Jackson State University	Public, 4 Year	Jackson, MS
Mississippi Valley State University	Public, 4 Year	Itta Bena, MS
Coahoma Community College	Public, 2 Year	Clarksdale, MS
Hinds Community College-Utica	Public, 2 Year	Utica, MS
Rust College	Private, 4 Year	Holly Springs, MS
Tougaloo College	Private, 4 Year	Tougaloo, MS

Missouri

There are two public black colleges in Missouri. Harris-Stowe State University is in St. Louis, MO, and Jefferson City, MO, is home to Lincoln University of Missouri. The larger HBCU is Lincoln University, which began as the Lincoln Institute in 1866. 

School	Type	Location
Harris-Stowe State University	Public, 4 Year	St. Louis, MO
Lincoln University of Missouri	Public, 4 Year	Jefferson City, MO

North Carolina

North Carolina has twelve Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Raleigh’s Shaw University, which was founded in 1865, is the oldest HBCU in the South. North Carolina Central University in Durham, which was founded in 1910, is the state’s newest HBCU.

School	Type	Location
Elizabeth City State University	Public, 4 Year	Elizabeth City, NC
Fayetteville State University	Public, 4 Year	Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina A&T State University	Public, 4 Year	Greensboro, NC
North Carolina Central University	Public, 4 Year	Durham, NC
North Carolina Central University School of Law	Public, 4 Year	Durham, NC
Winston-Salem State University	Public, 4 Year	Winston-Salem, NC
Barber-Scotia College	Private, 4 Year	Concord, NC
Bennett College	Private, 4 Year	Greensboro, NC
Johnson C. Smith University	Private, 4 Year	Charlotte, NC
Livingstone College	Private, 4 Year	Salisbury, NC
St. Augustine’s College	Private, 4 Year	Raleigh, NC
Shaw University	Private, 4 Year	Raleigh, NC

Ohio

Wilberforce, Ohio, is home to three HBCUs. Wilberforce University, Central State University, and Payne Theological Seminary. Wilberforce University, founded in 1856, is the oldest private HBCU to keep its original name. The university is also the first college run and owned entirely by African Americans. 

School	Type	Location
Central State University	Public, 4 Year	Wilberforce, OH
Payne Theological Seminary	Private, 4 Year	Wilberforce, OH
Wilberforce University	Private, 4 Year	Wilberforce, OH

Oklahoma

Langston University is the only historically black college or university in the state of Oklahoma. The university is in Langston, OK. It was founded in 1897 as the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University with 41 students on a single campus.

School	Type	Location
Langston University	Public, 4 Year	Langston, OK

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has the most to say about the history of HBCU colleges. There are two public schools you can choose from. In 1854, the Ashmun Institute opened in Chester County, PA, which is now Lincoln University. It is the first of the HBCU colleges to grant degrees. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is in Cheyney, PA. Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys started it as the first HBCU. The university’s original name was the Institute for Colored Youth.

School	Type	Location
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania	Public, 4 Year	Cheyney, PA
Lincoln University	Public, 4 Year	Lincoln University, PA

South Carolina

In South Carolina, there are eight black colleges. The state has only two public schools. The rest of the schools are private. Claflin University, which has been around since 1869, and South Carolina State University, which has been around since 1896, are recognized as two of the top schools in the state. Both are in Orangeburg, SC.

School	Type	Location
South Carolina State University	Public, 4 Year	Orangeburg, SC
Denmark Technical College	Public, 2 Year	Denmark, SC
Allen University	Private, 4 Year	Columbia, SC
Benedict College	Private, 4 Year	Columbia, SC
Claflin University	Private, 4 Year	Orangeburg, SC
Morris College	Private, 4 Year	Sumter, SC
Voorhees College	Private, 4 Year	Denmark, SC
Clinton Junior College	Private, 2 Year	Rock Hill, SC

Tennessee

Tennessee has seven historically black colleges and universities, and it was the first state to hire a full-time, statewide higher education professional to help its public and private HBCUs do well. Tennessee State University, which opened in 1912 as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School, and Fisk University, which opened in 1866, are among the top schools. Both are located in Nashville, TN.

School	Type	Location
Tennessee State University	Public, 4 Year	Nashville, TN
American Baptist College	Private, 4 Year	Nashville, TN
Fisk University	Private, 4 Year	Nashville, TN
Knoxville College	Private, 4 Year	Knoxville, TN
Lane College	Private, 4 Year	Jackson, TN
LeMoyne-Owen College	Private, 4 Year	Memphis, TN
Meharry Medical College	Private, 4 Year	Nashville, TN

Texas

There are ten HBCU colleges in Texas. There are four public ones and six private ones. There are two HBCU colleges near Houston, TX. The oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities are Paul Quinn College in Dallas, TX, one of the HBCU colleges near Katy, TX, and Wiley College in Marshall, TX. Both started in the years 1872 and 1873. Wiley College was in the movie The Great Debaters, which was made in 2007 and starred Denzel Washington.

School	Type	Location
Prairie View A&M University	Public, 4 Year	Prairie View, TX
Texas Southern University	Public, 4 Year	Houston, TX
Texas Southern University – Thurgood Marshall School of Law	Public, 4 Year	Houston, TX
St. Philip’s College	Public, 2 Year	San Antonio, TX
Huston-Tillotson University	Private, 4 Year	Austin, TX
Jarvis Christian College	Private, 4 Year	Hawkins, TX
Paul Quinn College	Private, 4 Year	Dallas, TX
Southwestern Christian College	Private, 4 Year	Terrell, TX
Texas College	Private, 4 Year	Tyler, TX
Wiley College	Private, 4 Year	Marshall, TX

Virginia

Virginia is home to five Historically Black Colleges and Universities. There are three private schools and two public ones. Virginia Union University, located in Richmond, VA, is the oldest HBCU in the state of Virginia. It began as Wayland Seminary and merged with the Richmond Institute in 1865. 

School	Type	Location
Norfolk State University	Public, 4 Year	Norfolk, VA
Virginia State University	Public, 4 Year	Petersburg, VA
Hampton University	Private, 4 Year	Hampton, VA
Virginia Union University	Private, 4 Year	Richmond, VA
Virginia University of Lynchburg	Private, 4 Year	Lynchburg, VA

West Virginia

West Virginia has two public four-year HBCUs. West Virginia State University, located in Institute, WV, is the older school. It was founded as the West Virginia Colored Institute in 1891. Bluefield Colored Institute in Bluefield, WV, became Bluefield State College in 1895.

School	Type	Location
Bluefield State College	Public, 4 Year	Bluefield, WV
West Virginia State University	Public, 4 Year	Institute, WV

Virgin Islands

Many people don’t know there is a black college option in the Caribbean. The University of the Virgin Islands has been around since 1962. It is a public, land-grant HBCU. Between the two campuses, there are about 1,625 students living there.

School	Type	Location
University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas Campus)	Public, 4 Year	St. Thomas, V.I.
University of the Virgin Islands (Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix)	Public, 4 Year	Kingshill, V.I.

Frequently asked questions about HBCUs

Below, we address some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Got a query that hasn’t been covered here? If you have any questions, please visit our contact page.