The Biggest HBCU Colleges: A Legacy of Education and Empowerment

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been instrumental in providing higher education and promoting economic mobility for Black Americans for the past 150 years. These institutions, mostly founded in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the Southeast, emerged to educate African Americans following the Civil War. Some began as teacher training schools, while others prepared future ministers or seamstresses. Today, HBCUs continue to play a vital role in the Black community, with 20% of Black college graduates earning their degrees at an HBCU, and 10% of the Black student population attending an HBCU. Data from the Department of Education indicates that 338,339 students were enrolled at HBCUs in the 2020-21 school year. Notably, one in three HBCU students attended one of the top 10 largest HBCUs in the country during this period. Most of these large HBCUs are public institutions located in southern and southeastern states, such as Texas and North Carolina.

Factors Driving Enrollment Growth

HBCUs have experienced significant enrollment growth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there has been an 11% increase in Black enrollment at HBCUs since 1976. This trend has persisted despite overall college enrollment declines since 2020. Several factors have contributed to this increased interest in HBCUs, including the Black Lives Matter movement, heightened racial tensions, safety concerns for Black students, the visibility of high-profile alumni, and significant donations in recent years. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to support Black college students in navigating the barriers they often face in higher education, which predominantly white schools have historically struggled to address. Financial considerations also play a role, as HBCUs are typically more affordable than other colleges.

Top 10 Largest HBCUs by Enrollment

Here's a look at the top 10 largest HBCUs in the United States, based on enrollment data:

1. North Carolina A&T State University

Total Enrollment: Over 15,000 students (as of Fall 2025)

Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T has held the top spot as the largest four-year HBCU by enrollment since 2014. The university continued to grow even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for its accessibility, with a 61% admissions rate and relatively low tuition and fees for in-state students. Top majors at North Carolina A&T include industrial engineering, chemical engineering, and teaching. Aggie Nation, is holding down the #1 spot as the Largest HBCU for the twelfth straight year. In fall 2025, they broke past 15K students for the first time-a 6.7% jump from the year before.

2. Howard University

Total Enrollment: Over 11,000 students (in 2020-21)

Based in Washington, D.C., Howard University has a long-standing reputation as a top HBCU. The private research university was founded in 1867 and is renowned for its excellence in STEM fields. It's also one of the top HBCUs for finance and chemical engineering salaries. Howard University isn’t just another school-it’s “The Mecca,” the cultural heartbeat of Black excellence. From attracting top-tier talent to expanding housing and research facilities, HU is showing why it’s a global brand in higher ed.

3. St. Philip's College

Total Enrollment: 21,431 students (in 2020-21)

Located in San Antonio, St. Philip's College stands out as the only community college with enough students to make the top 10 HBCUs by enrollment size. The public community college was founded in 1898 and started as an industrial school for girls offering a weekend sewing class. It prides itself on being the only school with federal designation as both an HBCU and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Alumni of its occupational and physical therapy assistant programs are top earners in their field.

4. Prairie View A&M University

Total Enrollment: Over 10,000 students (in 2020-21)

Prairie View A&M, a public college in Texas, is one of the oldest colleges in Texas and the first publicly-funded school to educate Black students in the state. PVAMU continues to play an important role in its community by offering an accessible education, especially for low-income students. PVAMU is also one of the top HBCUs for mechanical engineering and chemical engineering salaries.

5. Florida A&M University

Total Enrollment: 10,221 students (in 2020-21)

Florida A&M University, a public school in Tallahassee, has been the only public HBCU in Florida since it was founded in 1887. FAMU is one of the top HBCUs for financial payoff, with a median alumni salary higher than other Black graduates in the state. From the Marching 100 to producing the highest number of Black pharmacists in the nation, FAMU is iconic.

6. North Carolina Central University

Total Enrollment: 9,000 students

NC Central, located in Durham, North Carolina, was founded in 1910 and initially focused on educating Black teachers and principals. It was also the first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students. The university has a notably low default rate and an admissions rate of 47%.

7. Southern University and A&M College

Total Enrollment: 8,749 students (in 2020-21)

The public college, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, opened in 1881 to educate Black students in the state. Today it's one of only 11 HBCUs to be recognized as a research university by the Carnegie classification system. Alumni of the university's mechanical engineering, communication disorders, and biology majors are top earners for their field of study.

8. Fayetteville State University

Total enrollment: 8,658 students (in 2020-21 school year)

Fayetteville State is one of the oldest public colleges in the state. The university is an accessible option for four-year degrees with an admissions rate of 68%.

9. Virginia State University

Total enrollment: 8,654 students (in 2020-21 school year)

Virginia State University was founded in 1882 and opened its doors a year later to its first students. The public school is highly accessible with an acceptance rate of 91%. VSU students from the liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities majors tend to earn more for their field of study than other graduates.

10. Tennessee State University

Total Enrollment: 8,424 students (in 2020-21)

Founded in 1912, the university is the only public HBCU in the state. Tennessee State's strongest bachelor's programs for alumni salary include biology and social work.

Other Notable HBCUs

In addition to the top 10 largest HBCUs, numerous other institutions contribute significantly to the education and empowerment of Black students. Some of these notable HBCUs include:

Morehouse College: A men's HBCU in Atlanta, Georgia, known for producing notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Spike Lee.
Spelman College: A women's HBCU in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on inspiring students to commit to service and social change.
Tuskegee University: Founded by Booker T. Washington in Tuskegee, Alabama, emphasizing the relationship between education and workforce preparation.
Xavier University of Louisiana: The only Catholic HBCU in the country, known for its strong programs in STEM and health sciences.
Fisk University: The oldest college in Nashville, Tennessee, with a strong liberal arts curriculum.
Jackson State University: Located in Jackson, Mississippi, committed to raising up leaders who will use their transformative ideas to further advance society.
Morgan State University: The largest HBCU in Maryland, offering a wide range of academic programs.

HBCU Library Alliance

HBCU libraries have formed the HBCU Library Alliance to pool resources and work collaboratively. Together with Cornell University, the alliance has a joint program to digitize HBCU collections, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Read also: Overview of College Rivalries

Athletics at HBCUs

NCAA Division I has two historically Black athletic conferences: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference. The top football teams from the conferences have played each other in postseason bowl games: the Pelican Bowl (1970s), the Heritage Bowl (1990s), and the Celebration Bowl (2015-present).

Homecoming Traditions

Homecoming is a cherished tradition at almost every American college and university, with a more unique meaning at HBCUs. The level of pageantry and local black community involvement helps make HBCU homecomings more distinctive. Due to higher campus traffic and activity, classes at HBCUs are usually canceled on Friday and Saturday of homecoming. Millions of alumni, students, celebrity guests, and visitors attend HBCU homecomings every year. In addition to being a festive week, homecomings generate strong revenue for many black-owned businesses and HBCUs.

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