Top Historically Black Colleges Located in the South
College can be fun and it can also be culturally stimulating. Attending a black college is one of the best experiences that an African-American or a non-African-American can have. The struggles, the history, and the successes of most Historically Black Colleges/Universities are astounding. It is truly a privilege to follow the legacies of some of America’s most profound black leaders by attending and graduating from a Historically Black College/University.
I have had the opportunity to attend two of the countries top HBCUs. I would have to say that this was definitely one of the best experiences in my life. I was able to grow and understand who I was and the struggles that African-Americans have gone through in order to get me there. Besides all of the parties, different cultures, and excitement, I did end up learning more than I thought that I would. My experience at an HBCU has helped shape the person that I am today.
So why are HBCUs so important for African-Americans? In American History after the civil war, African-American’s could only attend these types of colleges in order to become college educated. HBCUs have continued to be a sure way for African-Americans or students from any race to get the best possible education available.
Over half of the African-American professionals are graduates of a HBCU. 90% of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African-American students with PhDs are HBCUs.
So maybe you have decided or just thought about going to an HBCU. The thought is beginning to excite you, however, you just don’t know where to start. What college will you attend? Which ones are the best? How much will it cost and how will you pay to go? What college will be the right place for you? Well for your convenience, I have put together a guide to help make your college searching experience less painful and more enjoyable.
I have included some of the top HBCUs according to Black Enterprise list located in the Southern region of the United States of America. I hope that this will be a helpful guide to help you determine your future success.
Xavier University is one of the highest ranked schools according to Black Enterprise’s Top HBCUs list. Xavier is America’s only Catholic and Historically Black University; however, this institution was severely effected during Hurricane Katrina. Even under the horrific circumstances faculty and staff at Xavier have worked hard to re-organize and re-establish the foundation that they once held.
Xavier has worked hard in order to re-open their doors to students for the Spring Semester of 2006. By November 2005, 2,400 students had already begun registering and planning to return back to the college. On January 2006 students were able to return back to the college to continue their education. Currently 3,000 students have returned for this semester even after the devastating hurricane.
Xavier University is a four-year, private, coed, liberal arts institution that was founded in 1915. This institution was founded in order to provide an education and training to African-Americans. It currently encourages people of different races to attend in order to establish a diverse and humane society.
Xavier is the nation’s #1 institution to award African-American students with Doctor of Pharmacy degrees. This university is also #1 for awarding the most African-American students with Doctorate degrees and the #1 institution for African-Americans to receive undergraduate biology degrees.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has accredited Xavier to award its students with the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master’s and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.
If you are looking for a medical degree, not afraid to try something new, and not afraid of hurricanes than Xavier could be the place for you.
Tuition:
College of Arts and Sciences Pre-pharmacy tuition: $6,050 per semester
College of Pharmacy: $8,000 per semester
Grad School: $220 per credit hour
Contact Info:
Xavier University
1 Drexel Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70125
Phone: 504-846-7411
Web: www.Xula.edu
Clark Atlanta University is actually the institution that I had an opportunity to attend. CAU is ranked #7 according to Black Enterprises Top HBCUs list. This university is definitely a fun one. This 4-year, co-ed, private, comprehensive, Liberal Arts University that was established in 1988 as a merger between Atlanta University, founded in 1865, and Clark College established in 1869.
Clark Atlanta is currently located right alongside Morehouse and Spelman Colleges and shares the Woodruff Library with both schools. Clark combines the rich history of two HBCUs to offer the necessary skills in order to acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence essential for modern society.
This Atlanta based institution has 62 acres of campus area and includes a $45 million dollar state-of-the-art research center and the Catherine Hughes Art Gallery, which houses one of the largest African-American art collections in the entire world.
Besides being the center of a tri-university campus, Clark Atlanta definitely has it going on!!! I cannot think a more fun, diverse, exciting campus in the entire nation. Atlanta is the new African-American entrepreneur capital and is constantly opening up its doors for young Black youth to fulfill a successful lifestyle.
While attending this university, I had the opportunity to watch the film “Drumline” being filmed outside of my dorm room window. There was always something to do on this campus, which made it even more exciting to be there. They definitely have an incredible campus and residential facilities that make you feel right at home.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredit Clark Atlanta University to award the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master’s, and doctorate degrees.
If you are looking for a great, fun, exciting, and highly educational university to go to than Clark Atlanta is the place to be.
Tuition: $14, 522 annually
Graduate: $582 per credit hour
Contact Info:
Clark Atlanta University
223 James P. Brawley Dr.
S.W. Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone: 404-880-8000
Web: www.cau.edu
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (NCA&T) is ranked as one of top HBCUs by Black Enterprise’s Top HBCUs list. NCA&T is a four-year, coed, liberal arts university founded in the year 1891 as one of the two land grant institutions in the state of North Carolina.
NCA&T offers its students a high quality and diverse program for a multicultural student body. This university is committed to providing an intellectual environment where students may find a sense of responsibility and achievements that will prepare them for successful roles in society.
This institution is currently located on 181 acres in Greensboro, NC.; and offers PhD’s in engineering. NCA&T also conducts engineering, transportation, and extension research programs.
If you are looking for a great HBCU to attend then you should consider NCA&T.
Tuition:
In-State: $1,557 per semester
Out-of-State: $6,276
In-State Grad: $1,593
Out-of-State Grad: $6,385
Contact Info:
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University
1601 E. Market St.
Greensboro, NC 27411
Phone: 919-334-7500
Web: www.ncat.edu
Tuskegee University is ranked among the top HBCUs according to Black Enterprises list. Tuskegee University (TU) is a four-year, private, state-related, liberal arts institution. Founded in 1881, Tuskegee University’s purpose was to educate rural Black youth in Alabama. Booker T. Washington, a strong historical black figure; opened up TU, serving as the institutions first principal. The institution began with only 30 men and women in a one-room shanty. The next year, Booker T. Washington purchased a 100-acre abandoned plantation, which became the campus of TU.
TU is the first HBCU to be designated as a Registered National Landmark and is also the only existent college designated a National Historic Site and District by congress. TU has also upheld the title of being the first site to train African-American military pilots and has had more students to become flag officers than any other institution.
TU is currently located in Tuskegee, Alabama that is only 40 miles east of the state’s capitol Montgomery. The university is within easy driving distances of Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, GA.
Special features in Tuskegee University’s program include: The General Daniel “Chappie” James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education, which honors America’s first black four-star general who was a Tuskegee University graduate, and housing the nation’s only Aerospace Science Engineering program at a Historically Black College; Media Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, with the state-of-the-art video up-link and down-link, intra-school communications, audio/visual, graphics, photography and document production; The Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, a state-of-the-art hotel and meeting facility for educational, business and cultural events; The Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, a distinctive research, teaching and outreach program that addresses issues of ethics and public policy in the treatment of people of color and rural Americans in health care.
Over the past 125 years Tuskegee University has become one of the nations most successful institutions of higher learning. Even though this institution focuses on educating African-Americans, TU is open to anyone of any race or nationality.
Tuskegee enrolls more than 5,000 students annually and employs approximately 900 faculty and staff.
Degrees available: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
If you are planning on attending a university with a rich history than Tuskegee University just might be the place for you.
Tuition: $5,645 per semester
Contact Info:
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama 36088
Phone: 800-622-6531
Web: www.Tuskegee.edu
One of the highest ranked HBCUs according to Black Enterprise’s Top list is Fisk University. Fisk University is a 4-year, coed liberal arts institution founded in the year 1866. Fisk has contributed to helping African-American’s become among the top ranked scientists and business people in the nation.
Fisk University is located on over 40 acres of land. Fisk has a rich history and has had the opportunity to educate great African-American leaders such as W.E.B. Dubois, John Hope Franklin, and Aaron Douglas. Fisk’s mission is to educate and prepare its students so that they are resourceful and skilled to face the challenges of life in a technological society and an increasingly multicultural world.
Newsweek-Kaplan surveyed Fisk University as being one of the top 25 universities in the nation for 2006. Fisk University’s graduation rate is 77.7% making it one of the top institutions for African-American graduation. Over 70% of the students who graduate from the university continue their studies in a graduate program. Fisk University has also been included in Money Magazines as “100 Best College Buys.”
Fisk University focuses on its students physiological, safety, belonging/love, esteem, and self-actualization needs in order to help guide residential education, social development, and civic leadership.
Admission to Fisk University has and always has been selective. Most of today’s entering students are ranked in the top half of their class. Fisk is a relatively small campus that continues to grow. Fisk is a wonderful place to consider if you plan on attending a very elite university.
Tuition:
Current Student: $19,910 total cost annually
New Student: $22,142 total cost annually
Contact Info:
Fisk University
1000 17th Ave. N
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-329-8500
Web: www.Fisk.edu
If you are an African-American or even if you are not but you want to try something new and exciting than attending a HBCU could be the best decision that you could make.
