How Much Does It Cost to Apply to an HBCU?

HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities, are institutions that were formed to educate Black students when institutions were still segregated by race.

Today, these institutions are much like any others. You need to submit an application to be accepted, and you'll often need to pay an application fee.

Keep reading to learn more about how much it costs to apply to an HBCU.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply to an HBCU?

The cost to apply for an HBCU depends on the HBCU you're applying to, although most cost between $20-$30.

We've broken down all HBCUs by state below and listed their application fee for general undergraduate admissions.

Graduate, international, and specific program admissions may vary.

Those that are marked as 'no fee listed' either do not have a fee or do not provide information about their fee. Please note that fees may be subject to change.

Alabama

• Alabama A&M University- $30
• Alabama State University- $30
• Bishop State Community College - No fee listed
• Gadsden State College- No fee listed
• J.F. Drake State Technical College- No fee listed
• H. Councill Trenholm State Community College- No fee listed
• Lawson State Community College- No fee listed
• Miles College- No fee listed
• Oakwood University- No fee listed
• Selma University- no fee listed
• Shelton State Community College- No fee listed
• Stillman College- $20
• Talladega College- $25
• Tuskegee University- $25

Arkansas

• Arkansas Baptist College- $25
• Philander Smith College- no fee listed
• Shorter College- no fee listed
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff- $25 for online applications, $30 for paper applications

Delaware

• Delaware State University- $35

Florida

• Bethune Cookman University- $25
• Edward Waters University- $25
• Florida A&M University- $35
• Florida Memorial University- $30

Georgia

• Albany State University- $25
• Clark Atlanta University- $35
• Fort Valley State University- $20
• Interdenominational Theological Center- No fee listed
• Morehouse College- $50
• Morehouse School of Medicine- No fee listed
• Morris Brown College- $30
• Paine College- $25
• Savannah State University- No fee listed
• Spelman College- $40

Kentucky

• Kentucky State University- No fee listed
• Simmons College of Kentucky- No fee listed

Louisiana

• Dillard University- $40
• Grambling State University- $20
• Southern University and A&M College- $25
• Southern University at New Orleans- $20
• Southern University at Shreveport- $20
• Xavier University of Louisiana- confirmed free

Maryland

• Bowie State University- $40
• Coppin State University- $50
• Morgan State University- no fee listed
• University of Maryland- Eastern Shore- $35

Mississippi

• Alcorn State University- No fee listed
• Coahoma Community College- No fee listed
• Hinds County Community College at Utica- No fee listed
• Jackson State University- $25
• Mississippi Valley State University- No fee listed
• Rust College- $10
• Tougaloo College- $25

Missouri

• Harris-Stowe State University- no fee listed
• Lincoln University- no fee listed

North Carolina

• Barber-Scotia College- $25
• Bennett College- $35
• Elizabeth City State University- $30
• Fayetteville State University- $50
• Johnson C. Smith University- $25
• Livingstone College- $25
• North Carolina A&T State University- $60
• North Carolina Central University- $50
• Shaw University- $25
• St. Augustine's University- no fee listed
• Winston-Salem State University- $50

Please note that Barber-Scotia College is not an accredited institution.

Ohio

• Central State University- $35
• Wilberforce University- $25

Oklahoma

• Langston University- no fee listed

Pennsylvania

• Cheyney University- no fee listed
• Lincoln University- no fee listed

South Carolina

• Allen University- no fee listed
• Benedict College- $25
• Claflin University- $30
• Clinton College- no fee listed
• Denmark Technical College- $10
• Morris College- $20
• South Carolina State University- $25
• Voorhees University- $25

Tennessee

• American Baptist University- $30
• Fisk University- no fee listed
• Lane College- no fee listed
• LeMoyne-Owen College- $25, currently listed as waived due to COVID-19
• Meharry Medical College- no fee listed
• Tennessee State University- $25

Texas

• Huston-Tillotson University- $25
• Jarvis Christian University- $50
• Paul Quinn College- confirmed free
• Prairie View A&M University- $40
• Southwestern Christian College- $20
• St. Philip's College- no fee listed
• Texas College- $20
• Texas Southern University- $42
• Wiley University- $25

U.S. Virgin Islands

• University of the Virgin Islands- $25

Virginia

• Hampton University- $50
• Norfolk State University- $25
• Virginia State University- confirmed free
• Virginia Union University- $25
• Virginia University of Lynchburg- $25

Washington, D.C.

• Howard University- $45
• University of the District of Columbia- $50

West Virginia

• Bluefield State College- no fee listed
• West Virginia State University- $20

Can Application Fees Be Waived?

Some colleges and universities offer fee waivers for students who are unable to pay the application fee.

Talk with your school counselor or the HBCU's financial aid office for more information.

Fee waivers are sometimes limited, so if you plan to use one, be sure to apply early. Additionally, some schools will automatically waive the application fee for early applicants.

What Else Is Required to Apply to an HBCU?

Admissions requirements vary between HBCUs, but you'll usually need to submit your high school transcript, including your GPA.

Many, but not all, four-year colleges and universities also require you to submit either your ACT or SAT scores. You may also need to write personal essays and submit letters of recommendation.

Apply to an HBCU Today

Most HBCUs have an application fee between $20-30, but some offer free applications and others charge up to $60.

With the list above, you'll know what to expect when applying to HBCUs.