The legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
For more than a century, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been an essential part of the American educational landscape, producing graduates who have made significant contributions across all sectors of society.
From civil rights icon Thurgood Marshall, the first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice, to Kamala Harris, the nation’s first Black vice president, HBCU alumni continue to shape the country’s future.
Despite accounting for only 3% of U.S. higher education institutions, HBCUs enroll 10% of all Black students, according to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). This disproportionate impact emphasizes the important role HBCUs play in providing educational opportunities and addressing racial disparities in higher education.
The birth of HBCUs
HBCUs were founded in response to the exclusion of Black students from predominantly white institutions. These early institutions aimed to provide education and training to African Americans, who were largely excluded from attending colleges and universities in the United States.
The first, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, was established in 1837 through a $10,000 endowment from Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys, to train free African Americans as teachers.
Just over a decade later, Ashmun Institute, now known as Lincoln University, became the first HBCU to award degrees, founded by John Miller Dickey and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson. In 1856, Wilberforce University in Ohio became the first HBCU owned and operated by African Americans, under the leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Over time, more than 100 HBCUs have been established across the country, offering a wide range of degrees in fields like criminal justice, medicine, and veterinary science. The Second Morrill Act of 1890 played a significant role in this expansion, requiring states to provide land-grant institutions for Black students. Although many Southern states used this funding to establish separate institutions for White and Black students, perpetuating segregation.
Closing the racial wealth gap
HBCUs have been instrumental in creating the Black middle class. According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, these institutions produce a significant portion of Black professionals in the U.S., including 40% of Black engineers, 50% of Black lawyers, and 80% of Black judges.
Additionally, 70% of Black doctors in the U.S. are HBCU graduates. The financial benefits of attending an HBCU are also notable. A report by the UNCF found that HBCU graduates can expect to earn nearly $1 million more over their lifetime compared to those without a degree. This 56% boost in earnings demonstrates the critical role HBCUs play in enhancing economic mobility for Black Americans.
Ongoing relevance of HBCUs
Founded in a time when Black Americans were denied access to higher education due to racial segregation and discrimination, HBCUs remain as relevant today as they were during their inception. They continue to provide educational opportunities for students from underserved communities who might otherwise be excluded from higher education.
Many HBCUs maintain open admissions policies, allowing students who may have struggled academically in high school or come from low-income families a chance to pursue a college degree. In addition to serving Black students, HBCUs are increasingly attracting students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment at HBCUs has surged by 57% in recent years, with a 30% increase in applications.
In 2022, non-Black students made up 24% of HBCU enrollment, including 11% White students, 8% Latino students, and 2% American Indian or Asian students. International students, mainly from Africa and the Caribbean, also represent a growing percentage of HBCU enrollees.
A list of popular HBCUs
- Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Albany State University, Alcorn State University, Allen University, Arkansas Baptist College, Arkansas Pine Bluff University,
- Benedict College, Bennett College, Bethune-Cookman University, Bluefield State College, Bowie State University,
- Central State University, Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Clinton College, Coahoma Community College, Coppin State University,
- Delaware State University, Denmark Technical College, Dillard University,
- Edward Waters University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Florida A&M University,
- Florida Memorial University, Fort Valley State University,
- Grambling State University,
- Hampton University, Harris-Stowe State University, Howard University, Huston-Tillotson University,
- Interdenominational Theological Center,
- Jackson State University, Jarvis Christian College, Johnson C. Smith University,
- Kentucky State University,
- Langston University, Lawson State Community College, Lincoln University, Livingstone College, Louisiana Tech University,
- Maryland Eastern Shore University, Medgar Evers College, Meharry Medical College, Miles College, Mississippi Valley State University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morgan State University, Morris Brown College, Morris College,
- Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University,
- Oakwood University,
- Paine College, Paul Quinn College, Philander Smith College, Prairie View A&M University,
- Rust College,
- Saint Philip’s College, Savannah State University, Selma University, Shaw University, Shorter College, Simmons College, South Carolina State University, Southern University, Southern University at New Orleans, Southern University at Shreveport, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Spelman College, St. Augustine’s University, Stillman College,
- Talladega College, Tennessee State University, Texas College, Texas Southern University, Tougaloo College, Tuskegee University,
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of the District of Columbia, University of Maryland Eastern Shore,
- Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Voorhees College,
- West Virginia State University, Wilberforce University, Wiley College, Winston-Salem State University,
- Xavier University of Louisiana.
Funding disparities persist
While HBCUs continue to be a beacon of hope for many students, they face significant funding challenges. A recent investigation by Forbes revealed that 16 land-grant HBCUs were underfunded by $13 billion over the past 30 years compared to their predominantly white counterparts.
In response, the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture urged state governors to address this disparity and ensure adequate funding for these institutions moving forward.
Though federal funding, corporate donations, and alumni contributions help sustain HBCUs, state funding remains a critical source of support. Adequate financial resources allow HBCUs to improve academic programs, offer scholarships, and upgrade technology and infrastructure — all of which directly impact student success.
The future of HBCUs
As HBCUs continue to adapt to the changing educational landscape, they remain vital to the success of Black students and the diversification of the American workforce. With increased funding and support, these institutions will be better positioned to close racial wealth gaps, expand access to higher education, and ensure that the next generation of leaders has the opportunity to succeed.
In a nation still dealing with the effects of racial inequality, HBCUs exemplify the resilience and excellence of Black students and educators.
Written by Kweku Sampson
This article is published by either a staff writer, an intern, or an editor of TheAfricanDream.net, based on editorial discretion.
