The list of 108 Historically Black Colleges and Universities included in The HBCU Encyclopedia was compiled to serve as a comprehensive educational resource that reflects the full scope of Black higher education in the United States. The purpose of this list is not to rank institutions or evaluate their current standing, but to provide students, families, and educators with access to the history, range, and variety of institutions that make up the HBCU landscape.
Foundational Definition
The term “Historically Black College or University” is formally defined under the Higher Education Act of 1965 as “any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited or making progress toward accreditation.” This definition remains the federal standard and serves as the foundation for HBCU recognition.
At the same time, there are institutions that were founded after 1964 and are still federally acknowledged as HBCUs. Federal recognition has evolved over time to account for institutions whose missions, governance, and historical role align with HBCU designation, even when their formal establishment occurred later. As a result, founding date alone does not determine HBCU recognition, and multiple truths can coexist within the federal framework.
Accreditation and Institutional Status
Accreditation status was not used as a determining factor for inclusion in the 108. Some institutions included may currently be unaccredited, under review, or in the process of regaining accreditation. Accreditation can change over time, but an institution’s historical identity and recognition as an HBCU are not erased by those changes.
Prospective students should verify the accreditation status of any institution they plan to attend to ensure it aligns with their academic and professional goals. Most HBCUs hold regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (www.sacscoc.org) or the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (www.msche.org). Because accreditation status may change, confirmation through the accrediting agency is recommended.
Institutions With Unique Structures or Designations
The list of 108 also includes institutions that operate under distinct institutional structures or hold additional federal designations, while still being recognized as HBCUs.
Some institutions function as separate legal and academic entities from their undergraduate colleges, which under some interpretations may be considered separate universities. For example, Morehouse School of Medicine operates independently from Morehouse College and was established to focus exclusively on medical education, biomedical research, and advancing health equity. It holds the distinction of being the only HBCU in the nation solely dedicated to medical education and health sciences.
Similarly, Miles School of Law operates as a separate entity from Miles College and was created to expand access to legal education and diversify the legal profession. It is recognized as the only HBCU-affiliated law school in the state of Alabama.
The list also includes institutions such as St. Philip’s College, which is federally recognized as an HBCU while also qualifying for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation based on student enrollment demographics. This dual designation reflects changes in population over time, not a change in the institution’s historical mission or HBCU identity.
Historical Context and the Number of HBCUs Over Time
While the HBCU Encyclopedia focuses on 108 institutions that are recognized today, historical research suggests that approximately 160 to 170 HBCUs have existed at various points in time. Many institutions closed, merged, or transformed due to funding challenges and structural changes in higher education, particularly following desegregation. In many states, desegregation was implemented in ways that redirected resources away from HBCUs or led to their consolidation rather than equitable investment.
Other institutions were lost due to racial hostility and violence, including arson, intimidation, and targeted attacks against Black schools and communities, especially during periods when Black education was viewed as a threat to existing power structures. These closures were not simply administrative decisions; they were shaped by the social, political, and racial realities of the time. The number 108 reflects the institutions that remain recognized today, not the full count of Black colleges and universities that once existed.
Purpose of Including All 108
The decision to include all 108 institutions is rooted in a student-first approach. This list is meant to expose readers to the breadth of the HBCU ecosystem, including traditional undergraduate institutions, community colleges, professional schools, and institutions with unique missions or structures.
By presenting the full landscape, The HBCU Encyclopedia allows students to explore possibilities, understand historical context, and make informed decisions based on what is best for them.
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