The Enduring Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a vital role in American higher education, particularly for African Americans. Founded during a time of racial segregation when Black students were often excluded from predominantly white institutions, HBCUs provided access to education and opportunities for advancement. Today, while the landscape of higher education has changed, HBCUs remain essential institutions that continue to contribute significantly to the Black community and the nation as a whole.
A Legacy of Opportunity and Achievement
HBCUs were established to provide educational opportunities for African Americans who were systematically excluded from mainstream colleges and universities. Many were founded in the 19th and early 20th centuries by religious organizations, philanthropists, and Black leaders. These institutions offered a path to higher education for formerly enslaved people and their descendants, fostering the development of a Black middle class and providing leadership for the African American community.
Texas College, an HBCU in Tyler, Texas, proudly carries a rich history that sought to serve what was once an underreported population in East Texas, who desired to receive an education. The founding of Texas College by ministers from the once called Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (now the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church) invested time, energy, and resources to make alive and possible the dream of an education. With this as the founding ideal, a motto was shaped which now reads, “Give the People Light and They Will Find Their Way.” This motto stands as the mantra of the College, which has now stood in its founding location for 130 years; for more than a century.
The designation of HBCUs grew out of the desire of a people who wanted to learn and grow both academically and vocationally, for the purpose of a better life. And, in many instances, there were efforts to thwart this from occurring by way of Jim Crow Laws, threats, and practices of discouragement. One may also know that the formation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities were not officially recognized by the federal government until 1964, as the nation assisted with a definition to recognize that at that moment such institutions (many without federal support) could be established to provide an education for Blacks. To date, there remains approximately 100 institutions (both public and private) with this designation of HBCU that serve students of all races.
Economic Impact and Social Mobility
HBCUs have a significant economic impact, both for their students and the broader community. President Biden reported facts that are of significant importance for HBCUs. The report noted, “One example of higher education institutions delivering a high return for their students is that of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCUs have played a crucial role in expanding educational opportunity for all students, especially African American students who make up 76% of their populations. As of 2019, there were 101 accredited HBCUs across the United States. HBCUs enroll over 300,000 students including around 80,000 non-African Americans (as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics 2020). economy of $14.8 billion (page 389).”
Read also: HBCU Legacy in Georgia
HBCUs outperform non-HBCU institutions in retaining and graduating first-generation, low-income African American students. According to the Brookings Institution, HBCUs outperform expectations in producing high levels of upward mobility, especially for low-income students. HBCUs are a key pathway for social and economic mobility, and they provide a safe place for it, George-Joseph and Kodnani write. The value of an HBCU education extends far beyond personal success or academic accomplishment. It is rooted in a deep commitment to service, leadership and community uplift. Many graduates feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back, opting for career paths that benefit their communities. They return to work in under-resourced schools, start businesses that create local jobs, lead grassroots health initiatives, and actively participate in civic life.
The degree of social mobility HBCUs generate for their graduates is more than double the national average as measured by the percentage of students from the bottom two income quintiles who end up in the top three quintiles. Their graduates make up 50 percent of Black doctors and Black attorneys, 40 percent of Black engineers and Black members of Congress, and 80 percent of Black judges.
HBCUs contribute to efforts to address the racial wealth gap by making a college degree more accessible to Black people, promoting economic empowerment, and advocating for policies that foster economic equity. By reducing debt and boosting post-grad success, HBCUs play a vital roles in building generational wealth and closing racial equity gaps.
A Supportive and Inclusive Environment
HBCUs provide a supportive and inclusive environment for Black students, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Campuses with greater representation of students of color have fewer reports of race-based crimes. Faculty, staff, and administrators at HBCUs view student engagement as critical to their work and create a safe space for Black students who are often victims of stereotypes that influence professors’ assumptions about their potential, intellect, and ability to succeed. “Put simply, Black students can be influenced by the expectations or perceptions of negative stereotypes,” George-Joseph and Kodnani write.
According to the Strada Education Foundation, Black HBCU alumni report better interactions with professors and mentorship opportunities than Black alumni of non-HBCUs. Their graduates are more likely to describe their education as high quality compared to other institutions, according to a 2022 analysis from the Urban Institute. HBCUs can even improve mental health outcomes for students, possibly because they face fewer microaggressions and outright instances of racism. These schools invest in creating a shared experience and culture for their students, translating to a better learning environment. HBCUs offer alumni networks, more Black faculty members, and more internship opportunities.
Read also: Historically Black Colleges
HBCUs help students learn to identify as academics, scientists, business professionals, accountants, engineers, or artists without throwing out their core identity as African Americans. At HBCUs, Black students feel heard, seen, and accepted for who they are. HBCUs provide a space where Black students can study without fear. They are safe and secure spaces for budding African American students to learn in.
Excellence in STEM Fields
HBCUs have a strong track record of producing graduates in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Although HBCUs account for a mere 10 percent of the African American college student population, in 2014 they represented 17 percent of bachelor’s degrees and 24 percent of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees earned by African Americans. And, from 2002 to 2011, the top eight institutions where African Americans earned PHDs in science and engineering were HBCUs.
In 2022, nearly 25% of all Black STEM graduates received HBCU degrees, despite HBCUs making up less than 3% of all postsecondary institutions. Schools like North Carolina A&T State University and Howard rank among the top HBCUs for granting STEM degrees. Federal investment in HBCUs has also emphasized equity in STEM. From 2021-2023, the federal government awarded nearly $719 million in grants to expand STEM programs at HBCUs.
Xavier University is recognized as a national leader in STEM and health sciences, consistently producing numerous students who graduate from medical schools each year. Tuskegee University is a leading producer nationally of Black graduates in chemical, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace science engineering.
Addressing Systemic Underfunding
Despite their significant contributions, HBCUs have historically been systemically underfunded. Public HBCUs have 54% less in assets per student than public non-HBCUs, while private HBCUs have 79% less than private non-HBCUs, George-Joseph and Kodnani write.
Read also: The Enduring Legacy
In 1986, Congress amended the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase funding for HBCUs in response to their finding that state and federal institutions had engaged in discriminatory practices that had financially disadvantaged HBCUs. And although many HBCUs have seen an increase in private donations since the first quarter of 2020 - partially driven by greater financial need during the pandemic and the growing prominence of the Black Lives Matter movement - endowments have traditionally been much smaller at these institutions versus their predominantly white peers, and large gaps continue to exist today.
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action in supporting HBCUs, recognizing their high return on investment despite generations of unequal funding. In September 2023, the Secretaries of Agriculture and Education called on 16 states to rectify a $12 billion funding discrepancy between land-grant HBCUs and their non-HBCU counterparts. HBCUs have particularly benefited from the Administration’s higher education funding initiatives.
Notable Alumni and Their Impact
Numerous notable individuals have graduated from HBCUs and have made significant contributions in various fields:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. (Morehouse College): Renowned civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
- Thurgood Marshall (Lincoln University, Howard University School of Law): The first African American Supreme Court Justice, Marshall was a key figure in the legal battle against racial segregation.
- Kamala Harris (Howard University): The first female Vice President of the United States.
- Oprah Winfrey: (Tennessee State University) Media Executive, actress, talk show host, television producer, and philanthropist.
- Samuel L. Jackson (Morehouse College): Acclaimed actor.
The HBCU Experience: Alumni Perspectives
Alumni often speak of the transformative experience of attending an HBCU, emphasizing the supportive community, the focus on Black history and culture, and the development of leadership skills. They also highlight the importance of mentorship and the opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Chad Dion Lassiter, Johnson C. Smith University Alumni: "My experience was beyond amazing. I made lifelong friends and it built character and taught me how to combat American white racism. Each day while attending JCSU was a teachable moment. There were so many fun times, and the classes taught me about Black excellence. The overall experience turned me into the social change agent I am today."
Kimberly M. Brown, Fisk University Alumni: "Fisk was amazing. It was far enough away from home where no one could surprise visit me, but close enough where I could get home quickly. Freshman year was life changing. I studied hard but was very busy with clubs and campus organizations. To this day, my best friends are girls that I met my freshman year."
Quandra Chaffers, Spelman College Alumni: "If I didn’t attend an HBCU, I don’t think I would have the same confidence and self-awareness that I have now… I wanted to see myself outside of that lens, for once, and just be myself. If I had attended a PWI, I would not have been able to fully realize who I am."
Choosing an HBCU: Factors to Consider
Students who are getting ready to apply to college may be wondering how they can determine whether an HBCU is a good fit for their needs and goals. Ultimately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all option, particularly because each HBCU has a unique campus and its own set of opportunities and experiences.
If you’re interested in attending an HBCU, your first step should be to do your research on whether a college is the right fit and find out about the various institutions you may wish to consider. Some questions to consider include:
- Would Howard University’s urban setting in Washington, D.C., align with your vision of a college experience, for example, or would you prefer a campus that is outside of a major city like Delaware State University?
- Are you looking for a tight-knit liberal arts college or would a bigger university be closer to what you’re hoping for?
- What about the academic programs and opportunities that are most important to you?
Ideally, prospective applicants should strive to attend college tours, either in-person or virtually, to start to picture themselves on campus. Additionally, it’s important to review the admitted student profile to get a better sense of the grades and test scores you will need to be competitive throughout the admissions process.
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