Best U.S. HBCUs
There are 47 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the U.S., schools established to educate Black students when segregation shut them out of most colleges. Today they remain leaders in affordability, student support, and cultural community, and they welcome students of all backgrounds.
Leading our 2027 rankings is Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, ranked #271 nationally. Also highly ranked: Howard University, Xavier University of Louisiana and Fisk University.
Compare tuition, enrollment, acceptance rates, and majors across every HBCU below. Rankings follow the CollegeSimply methodology, blending academics, cost, outcomes, and selectivity. Filter by state or sort by what matters most to you.
List of HBCUs
Alabama State University
- Public 4 Year
- Montgomery, AL
-
4.5 | 2 reviews
- Jul 31 application deadline
Alabama State is a public HBCU known for undergraduate education, business, and health sciences. The urban campus is in Montgomery, the state capital.
- SAT Range 749-967
- Avg GPA 2.95
- Acceptance Rate 98%
- Net Price $13,138
Kentucky State University
- Public 4 Year
- Frankfort, KY
-
| 0 reviews
Kentucky State is a public historically Black university known for undergraduate aquaculture and agriculture. Students attend a small campus in Kentucky's capital city.
- SAT Range 820-1010
- Avg GPA 2.72
- Acceptance Rate 96%
- Net Price $9,397
Southern University and A & M College
- Public 4 Year
- Baton Rouge, LA
-
| 0 reviews
- Aug 1 application deadline
Southern is a public historically Black university known for undergraduate nursing, engineering, and agriculture. The Baton Rouge campus sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.
- SAT Range 790-1020
- Avg GPA 3.1
- Acceptance Rate 35%
- Net Price $18,353
South Carolina State University
- Public 4 Year
- Orangeburg, SC
-
| 0 reviews
- Jul 31 application deadline
SC State is a public HBCU known for undergraduate education, business, and biological sciences. Most undergrads live on the residential campus in the small city of Orangeburg.
- SAT Range 800-1050
- Avg GPA 3.17
- Acceptance Rate 83%
- Net Price $17,965
Grambling State University
- Public 4 Year
- Grambling, LA
-
5.0 | 1 reviews
Grambling is a public historically Black university known for undergraduate education, nursing, and criminal justice. The residential campus is in the small town of Grambling in northern Louisiana.
- SAT Range 920-1080
- Avg GPA 3.01
- Acceptance Rate 45%
- Net Price $17,018
Benedict College
- Private 4 Year
- Columbia, SC
-
3.0 | 2 reviews
- Feb 15 application deadline
Benedict is a private historically Black college known for undergraduate business and criminal justice. The urban campus sits in South Carolina's capital city of Columbia.
- SAT Range 820-1010
- Avg GPA NA
- Acceptance Rate 96%
- Net Price $18,665
Texas Southern University
- Public 4 Year
- Houston, TX
-
3.0 | 3 reviews
- Jul 15 application deadline
Texas Southern is a public historically Black university known for undergraduate pharmacy, business, and criminal justice. The urban campus is located in Houston's Third Ward.
- SAT Range 800-1000
- Avg GPA 3.0
- Acceptance Rate 97%
- Net Price $13,584
Virginia Union University
- Private 4 Year
- Richmond, VA
-
| 0 reviews
Virginia Union is a private historically Black university known for undergraduate programs in business, education, and social work. The historic urban campus sits on Richmond's North Side.
- SAT Range 850-885
- Avg GPA 2.71
- Acceptance Rate 98%
- Net Price $11,483
Central State University
- Public 4 Year
- Wilberforce, OH
-
| 0 reviews
Central State is a public HBCU known for undergraduate education and manufacturing engineering. The residential campus sits in the small town of Wilberforce.
- SAT Range 770-950
- Avg GPA 2.8
- Acceptance Rate 99%
- Net Price $11,398
Albany State University
- Public 4 Year
- Albany, GA
-
4.0 | 2 reviews
Albany State is a public HBCU known for undergraduate nursing, education, and business. The campus sits in the southwest Georgia city of Albany.
- SAT Range 740-900
- Avg GPA 2.77
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $11,484
Savannah State University
- Public 4 Year
- Savannah, GA
-
3.7 | 3 reviews
- Jul 15 application deadline
Savannah State is a public HBCU known for undergraduate marine science. The waterfront campus sits along a tidal marsh on the edge of Savannah.
- SAT Range 845-980
- Avg GPA 2.77
- Acceptance Rate 100%
- Net Price $7,956