What Is the Largest HBCU?
Historically black colleges and universities come in all types and all shapes and sizes. Discover which HBCU is the largest, as well as the other large HBCUs and the programs they offer.
There are over 100 historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, in the United States. Some have fewer than 100 students, while others have over 10,000.
Keep reading to discover which HBCU is the largest, as well as the ten largest HBCUs and the programs they offer.
Ten Largest HBCUs
The largest HBCU is North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Below, we've listed the ten largest HBCUs in order of largest to smallest enrollment. All data comes from the NCES and is for the 2022-2023 school year.
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1. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a public, historically black research university in Greensboro, North Carolina. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus and online.
Programs are available in areas of study like:
- business
- engineering
- liberal arts
- social sciences
North Carolina A&T enrolls nearly 13,500 students. Of those, 84% identify as Black or African American. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
2. Howard University
Howard University is a private, historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs.
Students can study fields such as:
- business
- communications
- healthcare
- social sciences
Howard University enrolls just under 13,000 students, 65% of whom identify as Black or African American. It's accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
3. St. Philips's College
St. Philip's College is a public, historically black community college in San Antonio, Texas. It primarily offers associate degrees and certificates on campus and online, though it does offer one bachelor's degree.
Programs are available in areas of study like:
- engineering
- healthcare
- liberal arts
- trades
St. Philip's College enrolls more than 12,500 students. Though it is an HBCU, only 9% of students identify as Black or African American. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
4. Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a public, historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in person and online.
Students can study fields such as:
- business
- education
- health sciences
- human services
Tennessee State University enrolls about 9,200 students and of those, 85% identify as Black or African American. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public, historically black university in Tallahassee, Florida. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus and online.
Programs are available in areas of study like:
- business
- health sciences
- human services
- law
Florida A&M enrolls around 9,200 students and 88% of its student body identifies as Black or African American. It's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
6. Morgan State University
Morgan State University is a public, historically black research university in Baltimore, Maryland. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and online.
Students can study fields such as:
- business
- engineering
- liberal arts
- social work
Morgan State enrolls about 9,100 students. Of those, 71% identify as Black or African American. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
7. Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University is a public, historically black university in Prarie View, Texas. It offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees on campus and online.
Programs are available in areas of study like:
- business
- engineering
- health sciences
- human services
Prairie View A&M enrolls a little over 9,000 students, 85% of whom identify as Black or African American. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
8. Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is a public, historically black university in Houston, Texas. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and online.
Students can study fields such as:
- business
- health sciences
- law
- public services
Texas Southern enrolls about 8,600 students, with 84% identifying as Black or African American. It's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
9. Southern University and A&M College
Southern University and A&M College is a public, historically black university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs on campus and online.
Programs are available in areas of study like:
- business
- health sciences
- law
- social sciences
Southern University enrolls about 8,200 students, and of those, 93% identify as Black or African American. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
10. North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University is a public, historically black university in Durham, North Carolina. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and online.
Students can study fields such as:
- business
- health sciences
- law
- social sciences
NC Central enrolls approximately 7,500 students. Within the student body, 80% identify as Black or African American. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Find a Historically Black College or University
North Carolina A&T is the largest HBCU, but all HBCUs listed above have over 7,000 students. Check out the above programs to find the right HBCU for you today.
