Last Updated on May 22, 2017
Four HBCUs were ranked as top research universities in a report published by the Center for Measuring University Performance. The Morehouse School of Medicine, Howard University, Florida A&M University and Jackson State University were listed among the top 200 institutions in the center’s Top American Research Universities report. The Center for Measuring University Performance is a joint venture of Arizona State University and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and it tracks research productivity among American colleges and universities.
Various factors were considered in compiling the list. According to the Center’s website, they “combined institutions that share a common administrative context and whose main campus and medical center fall within reasonable geographic proximity.” Ultimately, the report examined how the institutions contribute to the creation of knowledge and the impact of the colleges and universities on their respective communities.
The Center ranked research institutions in other areas, as well. Broken out reports ranked schools according to endowment assets, annual giving, faculty, doctorates awarded and SAT scores in addition to other areas.
More about the HBCUs that made the list of 200 top research universities:
Morehouse School of Medicine
RANK: 169
The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), located in Atlanta, was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College. In 1981, MSM became an independently chartered institution; and is now among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians. The school was recently recognized as the top institution among U.S. medical schools for its social mission. The faculty and alumni are noted in their fields for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy.
The Morehouse School of Medicine is home to world-renowned centers and institutes: the Cardiovascular Research Institute, the Center of Excellence on Health Disparities, the National Center for Primary Care, the Neuroscience Institute, the Prevention Research Center, the Research Core Facility, and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute. MSM’s research stature and reputation have grown exponentially over the last decade, fueled in large part by significant investments in research infrastructure with funding from the National Institute of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, the Georgia Cancer Coalition, and others.
Howard University
RANK: 172
Howard is one of the country's top-ranked HBCUs; and is one of the leading comprehensive research-oriented, private universities in the nation. The main campus, located in Washington, D.C., has a legacy of extraordinary research, faculty, principal investigators, and students. The components that support research administration are committed to an ongoing effort aimed at improving research and compliance at Howard while setting an agenda for cutting-edge research that is both national and international in scope.
Florida A&M University
RANK: 188
Founded in 1887, FAMU is the only public, land-grant HBCU in the State University System of Florida. Essence and Money magazines rank FAMU fifth among all national universities and colleges on the 2016 “50 Best Colleges for African-Americans” list. Additionally, the list identifies FAMU as the top-ranked HBCU in the nation.
The National Science Foundation lists FAMU as the number one HBCU in the nation for research and development expenditures. U.S. News & World Report has named FAMU among the best national universities, and Forbes lists the university as one of 2016’s “America’s Top Colleges” as well as one of its “Best in the South,” “Best Public Colleges,” and “Best Research Universities.” The Princeton Review named FAMU among its “2016 Best Colleges: Region-by-Region,” ranking FAMU as one of the “Best Southeastern” colleges and universities in the nation.
Jackson State University
RANK: 195
Jackson State is a diverse, technologically advanced four-year university steeped in history and committed to preparing its students to become global leaders. The university boasts a reputation for providing a caring, nurturing environment which challenges students academically and socially. Designated as a high research activity university, Jackson State seeks to enhance the state, nation, and world through comprehensive economic development, healthcare, and technological and educational initiatives. Jackson State is led by Interim President Dr. Rod Paige, an alumnus of the university and the first African American secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Sources: Center for Measuring University Performance, Howard University, Florida A&M University and Jackson State University.
Eddie Francis is the HBCU Lifestyle Podcast host and Greek life contributor. He is also a speaker, award-winning media veteran, and talent acquisition professional. Eddie is a regular contributor to “The HBCU Nation Radio Show” and award-winning “Sunday Journal” talk shows; and he has written for The Huffington Post, The Ladders, Great Black Speakers, LinkedIn, Social-Hire, Write to Bear Alms, Greek Ladders, and Careers in Government. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and you can learn more about him at EddieFrancis.com.
