HBCU Rankings 2022: The Top 25 Black Colleges from U.S. News

Last Updated on March 31, 2022

The U.S. News and World Report website have released its HBCU Rankings 2022 list. Every year, the institution publishes a list of the nation's top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The U.S. News has made it its mission to help students find the right college fit by providing informative college news, advice, and authoritative rankings.

About HBCUs

HBCUs were integral in advancing African American education in a segregated post-Civil War nation. Today, we celebrate these schools for their vital role in molding black leaders, educators, doctors, and more. There are currently more than 100 HBCUs across the U.S., offering a wide range of programs and an all-inclusive community.

HBCU Rankings 2022 Criteria

To be considered for this list of the top HBCUs in the United States, schools must meet specific criteria defined by the U.S. News. For one, schools are part of the White House and U.S. Department of Education's Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Secondly, a candidate should be an undergraduate baccalaureate-granting institution focusing on enrolling first-year, first-time students rather than non-traditional students. 

Rankings Methodology

Furthermore, colleges and universities included in the rankings should have appeared in the previous year's Best Colleges rankings. Generally, qualitative and quantitative measures are used to determine the U.S. News and World Report's rankings. The criteria include student retention, assessments, financial resources, graduation rates, student indebtedness, and more.

79 HBCUs were eligible to be included in the HBCU Rankings 2022 list. However, only 78 ranked HBCUs made it to the list. As you contemplate your college options, here is a list of the top 25 HBCUs, according to the U.S. News, you should keep in mind.

Changes from 2021

There have been some changes from the 2021 list, including:

Alabama State University rose to enter the top 25 HBCUs coming in at #22
Advancing ten spaces from last year, ASU ties with Elizabeth City State University. It also earned the distinction of being the second-highest-ranking Historically Black College or University in Alabama for 2022.

“ASU’s new rank affirms our efforts as we continue to move ASU forward 150 years and beyond”

Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., ASU President

Jackson State University broke into the top 20 list of HBCUs
JSU It tied at #18 position with Clark Atlanta University in 2022. Jackson State has an enrollment of approximately 7,000 students and is committed to its mission of producing societal leaders — locally and abroad.

“These rankings serve as a frame of reference to what we offer not only as an HBCU but as an institution of higher learning. At Jackson State University, we provide students with an all-encompassing quality education that spans beyond academics” 

 Thomas K. Hudson, JSU President

Florida A&M University moved ahead of North Carolina A&T University
Standing at #7 of the Top 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, public or private, is now the nation's highest-ranked public HBCU. Last year, FAMU tied for seventh with the Aggies. FAMU was also ranked 13th on the Social Mobility Index.

“The rise in our rankings illustrates what we can do with a focused plan and improved investment, both of which are critical to our success. It is a statement about a joint effort between our Board and the President to establish and stick with key priorities”

Kelvin Lawson, FAMU Board of Trustees Chairman

While some things changed this year, others not so much. For the 15th time in a row, Spelman College is still the top HBCU. Here are the other excellent HBCUs that appear in the complete 25 list:

HBCU Rankings 2022: The Top 25 Historically Black Colleges and Universities

	RANK	UNIVERSITY	LOCATION
	24	Prairie View A&M University*	Prairie View, TX
	24	Lincoln University (PA)*	Lincoln University, PA
	24	Fayetteville State University*	Fayetteville, NC
	24	Bowie State University*	Bowie, MD
	24	Alcorn State University*	Lorman, MS
	22	Elizabeth City State University*	Elizabeth City, NC
	22	Alabama State University*	Montgomery, AL
	20	Southern University and A&M College	Baton Rouge, LA
	18	Norfolk State University*	Norfolk, VA
	18	Jackson State University*	Jackson, MS
	18	Clark Atlanta University*	Atlanta, GA
	17	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	Princess Anne, MD
	16	Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem, NC
	15	Tougaloo College	Tougaloo, MS
	14	Dillard University	New Orleans, LA
	13	North Carolina Central University	Durham, NC
	12	Morgan State University	Baltimore, MD
	10	Delaware State University*	Dover, DE
	10	Claflin University*	Orangeburg, SC
	9	Fisk University	Nashville, TN
	8	North Carolina A&T State University	Greensboro, NC
	7	Florida A&M University	Tallahassee, FL
	4	Tuskegee University*	Tuskegee, AL
	4	Morehouse College*	Atlanta, GA
	4	Hampton University*	Hampton, VA
	3	Xavier University of Louisiana	New Orleans, LA
	2	Howard University	Washington, DC
	1	Spelman College	Atlanta, GA

*Tied School Ranking

For the complete listing of all 77 eligible HBCUs, please visit the U.S. News & World Reports’ Historically Black Schools Rankings page at http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/hbcu

Source: U.S. News & World Report. Last updated 3/4/2022.