Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have been providing quality education to students of color for nearly 150 years. They produce almost 20% of all African American college graduates and 25% of African American graduates in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the critical industries of the future.
HBCUs consistently outperform their white counterparts in retaining and graduating students and providing education to those who need it the most. Low-income or first-generation students have a better chance of completing their education and earning a college degree at an HBCU than at a comparable non-HBCU.
The safe, nurturing environment and communal approach in HBCUs can encourage your students to reach their full academic potential, take pride in their heritage, and make strong peer connections.
Some other most notable advantages of attending HBCU schools are:
- Quality Education– Some of the best colleges and universities in the country are HBCUs- Hampton University, Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, to name a few. Some may argue that predominantly white institutions (known as PWIs) provide a more realistic picture of the society Black students enter after graduation, but HBCU students aren’t ill-prepared by any means. About 55% HBCU graduates who participated in a survey by New Gallup-Purdue University “strongly agreed” that their school prepared them well for life outside college, compared to 30% of non-HBCU Black graduates who said the same for their PWI.
- Affordability– The quality education imparted in HBCUs also comes with a lower price tag. In 2013-2014, the average total cost of attendance at all HBCUs was 26% lower than the average total cost at all four-year non-profit colleges. Of course, there is variation in the quality and prices of HBCUs, so you can check out college rankings here. High quality education at affordable prices allows HBCU students to earn their way through college and manage their student debts better. No wonder, HBCUs are often referred to as a “best buy” in education.
- Scholarships and Grants– There are many scholarships and grants meant exclusively for helping HBCU students. Two of them are the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the IES Historically Black College and University Scholarships. Students can easily find out the best scholarships by installing one of the mobile apps listed in our blog “Top Five Mobile Apps for Students to Find the Best Scholarships.”
- Opportunities for Professional Networking– The HBCU network is like an extended family. There are several alumni associations that graduates of any HBCU can join, such as the National HBCU Alumni Association, the DC Metro HBCU Alumni Alliance, and the Atlanta HBCU Alumni Alliance, just to name a few. Such organizations can provide valuable networking opportunities throughout your students’ professional life.
- A Strong Sense of Community and Pride– Many HBCU courses are designed to inculcate pride in Black legacy and tradition. Working with the local community and researching issues that impact communities of color are an integral part of the schools’ curricula.
- Supportive Environment- At HBCUs, students will find others hailing from similar backgrounds and facing the same circumstances. This creates a sense of community and collaboration among them. HBCU administrators, faculty, and staff support the efforts of students seeking to defy societal stereotypes.
HBCUs are particularly adept at nurturing environments that allow students to focus on completing their academic requirements and on developing secure relationships with peers. An HBCU college tour is an effective way for students to get first-hand information about the culture and unique learning experiences that different colleges offer. - Urban Settings– Most HBCUs are located in areas with large African American populations where there are churches, clubs, social venues and lots of activities that reflect the local culture.
- Diversity– HBCUs do primarily serve African American people, but that doesn’t mean your students will have a limited cultural exposure here. HBCUs attract students from all races, ethnicities, and cultures.
- Great Role Models– Graduates of HBCUs have made their mark in almost all industries and fields. Author Toni Morrison attended Howard University; Oprah Winfrey attended Tennessee State University; Martin Luther King, Jr. was a product of Morehouse; Toni Morrison graduated from Howard, and Langston Hughes passed out from Lincoln University.
- Options for everyone– HBCUs also offer doctoral programs and graduate programs at the master’s degree level. But if any of your students prefer to start or only earn an associate’s degree, there also exist a handful of historically black community colleges. Get a complete listing of HBCU schools, classified by area, in our blog “What are the HBCU Schools in Each Region of the US?”
HBCUs will always remain relevant and they can be a great choice for your students. But don’t take our word for it; experience the culture and opportunities an HBCU campus has to offer by taking your students on an HBCU College tour.
Such tours give a first glimpse of college life to middle school students that can inspire them to work hard and follow their college dreams. And tours for high school students can help them identify and winnow down the culture, programs, amenities and opportunities that best fit their college and career ambitions.
Explore Colleges has years of experience in conducting meticulously-planned and cost-effective HBCU college tours for middle and high school students in all regions of the country.
Kathie Boozer is the founder and president of Explore Colleges, a premier college group tour operator. Explore Colleges’ customized tours help students experience the unique cultures, environments, and opportunities on each campus and inspire them to follow their dreams. Contact Kathie at kboozer@explorecolleges.org
