When it comes to selecting a college to attend, the cost of your education is just as important as the quality. While the most affordable HBCUs may not guarantee a particular school is right for every student, understanding the costs associated with earning a degree can help students make an informed decision in selecting their ideal college.
Affordable Schools, a college rankings site, focused on unique and affordable academic programs has released its latest college rankings list for the most affordable Historically Black Colleges and Universities that grant bachelor’s degrees. The ranking compares 84 bachelor’s granting Historically Black Colleges, based on average yearly net price. The net price is your “real cost” – what you pay out-of-pocket after financial aid is deducted. From the Affordable Schools ranking, we have compiled a short list of the top 10 Most Affordable HBCUs.
Here are the Most Affordable HBCUs rankings by average yearly net price for undergraduate students.
10. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU)
Yearly average net price: $8,628
Location: Prairie View, Texas
Celebrating 140 years, Prairie View A&M University has been a leader in serving underserved communities and has maintained a strict adherence to its founding principles of teaching, research and service. Prairie View A&M University is the second oldest public institution of higher education in Texas and offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 Master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools. PVAMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
More information about the cost of attending PVAMU is available at www.pvamu.edu/faid/home/cost-of-attendance/.
9. Kentucky State University (KSU)
Yearly average net price: $8,386
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky
Kentucky State University (KSU) was chartered in May 1886 as a land grant institution. Located in the state capital – KSU offers associate (two-year) degrees in three disciplines, baccalaureate (four-year) degrees in 24 disciplines, and master’s degrees in five disciplines.Kentucky State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and professional doctorate degrees.
More information about the cost of attending KSU is available at www.kysu.edu/administration-governance/finance-business/bursar/tuition-and-fees/.
8. Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)
Yearly average net price: $7,737
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2012, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) continues to honor the rich legacy of historically black colleges and universities. WSSU’s flexible curriculum provides multiple entry points to accommodate students’ diverse backgrounds and life situations. A constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, WSSU consistently ranks among the best public universities in the Southern United States. Winston-Salem State is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees.
More information about the cost of attending WSSU is available at www.wssu.edu/administration/finance-and-administration/financial-services/student-accounts/tuition.aspx.
7. Southern University and A&M College (SU)
Yearly average net price: $7,531
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Established in 1880 Southern University is one of three campuses comprising the nation’s only historically black land-grant university system. The University offers 42 bachelor’s, 20 master’s, four doctoral, and three associate degree programs. Innovative curricula range from an associate degree program in electronic engineering technology to master’s options in important new fields such as urban forestry, to doctoral options offered in Louisiana only at Southern University. Southern University and A&M College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
More information about the cost of attending SU is available at www.subr.edu/index.cfm/page/9/n/25.
6: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB)
Yearly average net price: $7,452
Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is an 1890 Land-Grant HBCU with a diverse student population, competitive degree offerings, and stellar faculty. As the second oldest land-grant institution in the state of Arkansas, UAPB has the only comprehensive aquaculture program in Arkansas established to help support the state’s $167 million aquaculture industry. In 2015, Bestvalueschools.com ranked the university second in Arkansas for best overall value. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
More information about the cost of attending UAPB is available at www.uapb.edu/admissions/tuition_and_fees.aspx .
5: Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU)
Yearly average net price: $7,003
Location: Itta Bena, Mississippi
Founded in 1950, Mississippi Valley State University is a Carnegie Classified Master’s University. MVSU provides comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs in education, arts and sciences, and professional studies. The academic programs are designed to positively impact the quality of life and provide extraordinary educational opportunities for the Mississippi Delta and beyond. Mississippi Valley State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
More information about the cost of attending MVSU is available at www.mvsu.edu/prospective_students/tuition_and_fees/.
4: Fayetteville State University (FSU)
Yearly average net price: $6,848
Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Established in 1867, Fayetteville State University is a public comprehensive regional university, offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service to the community, the university seeks to prepare its students and graduates to lead meaningful and productive lives. The university offers Bachelor’s degrees in 43 areas, Master’s degrees in 23 areas, and one doctoral degree in educational leadership. FSU is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
More information about the cost of attending FSU is available at www.uncfsu.edu/bursar/fees.
3: Langston University (LU)
Yearly average net price: $6,593
Location: Langston, Oklahoma
Founded in 1897 as a land grant institution, Langston University is the only Historically Black College/ University (HBCU) in the state of Oklahoma. Langston has both a rural and urban mandated mission with campuses in Langston, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. A total of 47 undergraduate and 9 graduate degree programs are offered at LU. Currently, the top five majors are business administration, nursing, biology, rehabilitation counseling, and criminal justice. The University is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
More information about the cost of attending LU is available at www.langston.edu/future-students/first-steps/financial-aid/cost-attendance.
2: Clinton College (CC)
Yearly average net price: $6,336
Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina
Founded in 1894, Clinton College is named after Bishop Caleb Isom Clinton, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church’s Palmetto Conference presiding bishop at the time. Clinton is a historically black, private college that has consistently maintained a liberal arts agenda as its primary focus. CC provides opportunities for students to pursue two-year and four-year programs resulting in earning either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Clinton College is accredited with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).
More information about the cost of attending CC is available at www.clintoncollege.edu/financial_aid.aspx.
1: Elizabeth City State University (ECSU)
Yearly average net price: $2,490
Location: Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Established in 1891, Elizabeth City State University is a public, Historically Black College and a member-institution of the University of North Carolina system. ECSU is the most affordable academic success university in North Carolina. With 28 undergraduate and 4 graduate programs of study, ECSU offers degrees in aviation and natural sciences, business and economics, teaching and administration, visual and performing arts, mathematics and computer science, social and behavioral sciences and other select professional and pre-professional areas. ECSU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the baccalaureate and master’s levels.
More information about the cost of attending ECSU is available at www.ecsu.edu/administration/business/student-accounts/tuition-and-fees.html.
What the Most Affordable HBCUs Rankings Mean for You
The actual tuition and fees will vary depending on the college or university, course load, type of courses and other factors. Knowing the cost of attendance can help students budget and better plan the financing of their education. In addition to college tuition and fees, other expenses must me factored into the overall cost including room and board, books, supplies, personal expenses and transportation costs. To get the full picture of the student’s financial obligation, please locate the tuition and fees pages of the schools you are considering to determining the total cost of attendance and eligibility for aid.
To see the full list of the 25 Most Affordable Bachelor’s-Granting Historically Black Colleges & Universities from Affordable Schools visit: http://affordableschools.net/25-affordable-bachelors-granting-historically-black-colleges-universities/
Sources: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a bureau of the Dept. of Education and AffordableSchools.net
What does hbcu stand for?
HBCU = Historically Black Colleges and Universities