Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, are schools that have a history of providing education to African Americans and underrepresented communities in the United States. Some are more well-known than others, but we wanted to shine some light on 25 amazing “hidden gem” HBCUs.
In order to be considered for this Hidden Gems list, colleges must meet the following criteria:
Receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year.- Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students.
- Offer 5 or more unique majors.
- Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher.
- Be classified as an HBCU by the US Department of Education.
Top 25 Hidden Gem HBCUs 2024
Elizabeth City State University is a member-school of the University of North Carolina System and its motto doubles as a great life lesson -- “To Live is to Learn.” The college offers 68% of students institutional grants, athletic scholarships, and resources to help them better afford tuition. Common majors on campus include Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Business Administration and Management, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.
Location
Elizabeth City, NC
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
2,054
Fayetteville State University is part of the University of North Carolina system. The school’s motto is Res Non Verba, which is Latin for “Deeds not Words.” Just over 4,000 students apply each year, with 82% receiving acceptance letters. 19% of these students will go on to attend the following fall.
Location
Fayetteville, NC
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
6,748
An HBCU affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Tougaloo offers 29 different majors to its students. Biology, Economics, and Health and Physical Education and the most popular areas of study. The school has a 49% acceptance rate and 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Location
Tougaloo, MS
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
677
Sitting on 1,185 acres in Huntsville, Oakwood University is a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution. The school has a cozy 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 77% first year retention rate. General Studies, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Organizational Behavior Studies are the most popular majors. The school's motto is “God First.”
Location
Huntsville, AL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,452
Alabama’s first private liberal arts HBCU, Talladega College has been serving students for over 150 years. The school’s 50-acre campus is home to several historic landmarks, one being Swayne Hall (1852). Students have over 50 clubs and organizations to choose from. Business Administration and Management is the most popular area of study.
Location
Talladega, AL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
903
Bluefield State University was founded in 1895 and just became a university in 2022 with the introduction of their Master of Business Administration program. The university accepts 97% of undergraduates who apply and has no undergraduate application fee. Elementary Education and Teaching and General Studies are the most common majors.
Location
Bluefield, WV
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,358
The nation’s oldest private HBCU owned and operated by African Americans, Wilberforce University was founded in 1856. The school now offers 21 academic concentrations along with several student organizations. Just over 45% of students who apply are accepted and many of will go on to study Organizational Leadership, Accounting and Business, and Communications.
Location
Wilberforce, OH
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
656
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a Land-Grant HBCU. The school accepts 69.5% of applicants and 96% of students who attend will receive institutional grant aid. Students can participate in any of more than 90 student organizations. Most popular majors at UAPB are Biology, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, and General Studies.
Location
Pine Bluff, AR
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
2,387
Found in 1891 West Virginia State University is set just a few miles from the state capital. The school has a high acceptance rate (96.3%) and 12.4% of those accepted will attend. WVSU has a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The most popular area of study by far is Business Administration and Management however Criminal Justice is also fairly popular.
Location
Institute, WV
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
3,785
Bennett College is one of only two all-women’s HCBU’s in the country. The school accepts 44.9% of applicants and it’s free to apply. Students enjoy a small 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 92% of students continue at the school after the first year. Popular majors include Biology, Journalism, Political Science, and Business Administration.
Location
Greensboro, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
168
Huston-Tillotson University is fairly selective only accepting 52% of applicants. Over 90% of students who do attend are from Texas. Popular areas of study include Business Administration, Kinesiology, Psychology, and Teacher Education. The school is affiliated with multiple Protestant denominations.
Location
Austin, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,025
Johnson C Smith University is located in the heart of Charlotte, NC. The school was recently selected for IBM’s first Quantum Education and Research Imitative for HBCU’s. The school is selective only accepting 25% of applicants. Popular majors at JCSU include Business Administration, Social Work, and Mass Communication/Media studies.
Location
Charlotte, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,093
Voorhees is a small liberal arts HBCU affiliated with the Episcopal Church. The 356-acre campus is designated as a Historical District in South Carolina. The school as a 65.5% acceptance rate and 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Popular majors include Sport and Fitness Administration, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management, and Psychology.
Location
Denmark, SC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
473
Founded in 1962, University of the Virgin Islands is a land-grant HBCU. It offers students over 90 degree programs. The school accepts 96% of applicants 92% of attendees receive student grant aid. Students enjoy small class sizes (8:1 student-to-faculty ratio) and many study Business, Registered Nursing, Accounting, and Criminal Justice.
Location
Charlotte Amalie, VI
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,636
Philander Smith College is a liberal arts school affiliated with the United Methodist church. The college offers 20 different majors and 26 student organizations. 72% of students continue their education here after their first year. The most popular majors are Business Administration, Biology, and Psychology.
Location
Little Rock, AR
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
769
At Coppin State University, located between Leakin Park and The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 87% of the student population are undergraduates. The school has a 45% acceptance rate and 98% of students receive grant aid. The most popular majors are Registered Nursing, Criminal Justice, and Business Administration.
Location
Baltimore, MD
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
2,006
Livingston college is a private, liberal arts HBCU affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The school is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and about 30% of students compete in varsity sports. 64% of applicants are accepted and students enjoy smaller class sizes with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Location
Salisbury, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
839
A private, faith based HBCU affiliated with African Methodist Episcopal Church, Paul Quinn College’s ethos is “WE over ME.” The school accepts 57% of applicants. PQC has an Urban Work College Model that provides internships with stipends to all residential students. Business Administration is the most popular major by far.
Location
Dallas, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
938
Mississippi Valley State University sits on a 450-acre tract of land approximately five miles from Greenwood, MS. 65% of applicants to the school are accepted and it’s free to apply. The school offers over 20 different majors, the two most popular being Business Administration and Managment and Sport and Fitness Administration.
Location
Itta Bena, MS
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,879
98% of students attending Kentucky State University will be offered institutional grants. The second oldest state supported school of higher learning in the state, it was originally founded as the State Normal School for Colored Persons. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would give a commencement speech at the school in 1957.
Location
Frankfort, KY
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,726
Virginia Union University is a faith based HBCU affiliated with the American Baptist Church. Its motto is “The Promise of a Limitless Future.” The school has an 81% acceptance rate and 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Criminology is the most sought-after major followed by Biology and then Computer and Information Sciences.
Location
Richmond, VA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,860
Saint Augustine’s University is a liberal arts HBCU affiliated with the Protestant Episcopal Church. The school accepts 59% of applicants and it’s free to apply. 94% of those who attend will receive grant aid ($11,769 average per student). Of around 20 majors offered, Criminal Justice, Public Health, and Kinesiology are the most popular.
Location
Raleigh, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,085
23
Rust College
23
Rust College
Located just outside the northwest corner of Holly Springs National Forest sits Rust College. It was established in 1866 and is affiliated with United Methodist church. This small private school accepts 79% of applicants. Small class sizes (8:1 student-faculty-ratio) are ideal for the school's most popular major - Biology.
Location
Holly Springs, MS
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
755
Located in the large city of Memphis is LeMoyne-Owen College. A non-selective school, 100% of applicants are accepted. Over 75% of students who attend are from Tennessee but many students come from surrounding states like Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. The most popular major is Business Administration followed by Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.
Location
Memphis, TN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
609
A faith based liberal arts HBCU, Paine College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school has a 52% acceptance rate and all who are accepted receive grant aid ($11,755 average per student). Paine has a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the most popular area of study is Business Administration and Management.
Location
Augusta, GA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
310
Interested in any of these “hidden gem” HBCUs? Learn more about the history of HBCUs and check out College Raptor’s free match tool to see if they’re a good fit for you!
About our methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently-available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
