Top 20 Best Historically Black Christian Colleges

By: OCC Staff

Historically Black colleges and universities continue to serve a critical role in our national education system, first as a link to that system for those who were excluded from more traditional means and later as a link to a history and culture that is often glossed over or lost in larger arenas. For those looking to access this resource in a dedicated Christian setting, this list of the top 20 best historically Black Christian colleges is a good start on this path. Each school listed was founded to educate African-Americans at a time when that was not a priority of the state (and in at least one case, was still illegal) and remains associated with a major Christian denomination in the present time.

Ranking Methodology

We created this list of the top 20 best historically Black Christian colleges by using a holistic approach. After compiling a list of nearly every historically Black college in the country, we looked specifically at tuition value (15 points), the amount of emphasis put on individual attention (as signified by a reported student to faculty ratio, 10 points), and the diversity of degrees offered (5 points). A bonus of five points was awarded for national recognition of excellence as an historically Black college or university. In the case of a tie on points, schools were ranked in order of decreasing tuition.

All tuition, enrollment, and student to faculty ratio numbers are from the National Center for Education Statistics, an information clearinghouse of the United States government. All tuition numbers are accurate as of November 2020. Always refer to the school’s official website for up-to-date information about tuition and fees.

20. Saint Augustine’s University

Raleigh, North Carolina
School Website

Saint Augustine’s University was ranked #47 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 13:1, they offer 25 undergraduate degree programs, over five schools and divisions. There is the School of Business, Management, and Technology, the School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, the Division of Military science, the School of Sciences, Mathematics and Public Health, and the School of Social Behavioral Sciences. St. Augustine’s University is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
25	944	$17,890

19 Virginia Union University

Richmond, Virginia
School Website

Virginia Union University was ranked #49 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 15:1, the university is divided into four schools, business, mathematics, science and technology, education, psychology and interdisciplinary studies, and humanities and social sciences. Virginia Union University is affiliated with American Baptist Churches, USA, and the National Baptist Convention. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
25	1,815	$17,034

18 Oakwood University

Huntsville, Alabama
School Website

Oakwood University was ranked #49 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 13:1, the university is divided into five schools, arts and sciences, business, education and social sciences, nursing and health professions, and religion. They also have an online degree program. Oakwood University is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
26	1,794	$16,750

17 Huston-Tillotson University

Austin, Texas
School Website

Huston-Tillotson University was ranked #40 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 14:1, the university is divided into the college of arts and sciences, the school of business and technology and the university college. They offer seventeen undergraduate majors and one graduate degree. Huston-Tillotson University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
26	1,012	$14,346

16 Howard University

Washington, D.C.
School Website

Howard University was ranked #1 on U.S News and World Report‘s list of the top historically Black colleges and universities. Founded in 1867, Howard is located in Washington, D.C. and well-known as a research university. Interestingly, Howard’s long list of distinguished alumni includes such names as Toni Morrison, Thurgood Marshall, Chadwick Boseman, and Kamala Harris.

15 Shaw University

Raleigh, North Carolina
School Website

The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was established on the campus of Shaw University in 1960. They were the first historically Black institution of higher education in the southern United States. With a student to faculty ratio of 19:1, the university is divided into two colleges, arts and sciences, and graduate and professional studies. Shaw University is affiliated with the National Baptist Convention. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
26.5	1,844	$16,580

14 Philander Smith College

Little Rock, Arkansas
School Website

Philander Smith College was ranked #39 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 16:1, they offer four degrees, the bachelor of arts, the bachelor of science, the bachelor of business administration and the bachelor of social work, with a possible twenty undergraduate majors. Philander Smith College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
27	765	$12,714

13 Stillman College

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
School Website

Stillman College has been serving west Alabama for more than 140 years with student-centered, technologically enriched liberal arts education. Their enterprise is based on the twin values of faith and ethical integrity. With a student to faculty ratio of 10:1, they offer 18 majors through two divisions, arts and sciences and professional education. Stillman College is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
27	628	$10,418

12 Lane College

Jackson, Tennessee
School Website

Lane College was founded with the educational needs of the newly freed slaves in mind, and in the 21st century, they continue to blaze trails by combining technology with education. With a student to faculty ratio of 19:1, they are divided into three schools, business, social and behavioral sciences, liberal studies and education, and natural and physical sciences to award bachelor’s degrees in 19 majors. Lane College is associated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
27	1,427	$10,280

11 Morris College

Sumter, South Carolina
School Website

Morris College was established in 1908 to provide educational opportunities to those who were denied access to the existing system. With a student to faculty ratio of 16:1, they offer bachelor’s degrees in 20 fields of study, across six divisions, general studies, business administration, education, religion and humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences. Morris College is affiliated with the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
27.5	754	$13,045

10 Florida Memorial University

Miami Gardens, Florida
School Website

Florida Memorial University was ranked #37 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They espouse the values of leadership, character, and service. With a student to faculty ratio of 15:1, Florida Memorial University offers forty-one undergraduate degrees and four master’s programs, under three schools, arts and sciences, business and education. They are closely affiliated with the Baptist Church, and they are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
28	1,339	$15,536

9 Le Moyne-Owen College

Memphis, Tennessee
School Website

Le Moyne-Owen College was formed in 1968 when two schools joined in their commitment to education and career training in a Christian setting. With a student to faculty ratio of 12:1, the college has five academic divisions, business and economic development, education, fine arts and humanities, natural and mathematical sciences, and social and behavioral sciences. LeMoyne-Owen College is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
28	959	$10,880

8 Bennett College

Greensboro, North Carolina
School Website

Bennett College was ranked #17 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 11:1, they offer bachelor’s degrees in eighteen majors, across two divisions, humanities, business and professional studies, and sciences and mathematics. One of the only colleges exclusively for women on this list, Bennett College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
28.5	474	$18,513

7 Dillard University

New Orleans, Louisiana
School Website

Dillard University was ranked #12 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 14:1, the university is divided into the college of arts and sciences, the college of business and the school of nursing. Dillard University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
29.5	1,261	$17,064

6 Xavier University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana
School Website

The Xavier University of Louisiana was ranked #6 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 14:1, the school is comprised of two colleges, Arts and Sciences and Pharmacy, and offers four pre-professional programs, pre-law, pre-med, pre-pharmacy, and engineering dual-degree. Founded by St. Katharine Drexel, Xavier University is the only Catholic Historically Black College/University. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
30	2,997	$23,046

5 Johnson C. Smith University

Charlotte, North Carolina
School Website

Johnson C. Smith University was ranked #15 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 11:1, the university is composed of three colleges and one graduate program, the college of arts and letters, the college of science, technology, engineering and math, the college of professional studies, and the master’s degree in social work. Johnson C. Smith University is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
30	1,428	$18,236

4 Claflin University

Orangeburg, South Carolina
School Website

Claflin University was ranked #9 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 13:1, the university is divided into four schools, business, education, natural sciences and mathematics, and humanities and social sciences. Claflin University was founded in 1869 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
30	1,978	$16,158

3 Fisk University

Nashville, Tennessee
School Website

Fisk University was ranked #8 on US News and World Report’s list of the top historically Black Colleges and Universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 11:1, they are comprised of three schools, humanities and behavioral social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics and business, and graduate studies. Fisk University was founded by the American Missionary Association, which later joined with the United Church of Christ, with whom Fisk remains affiliated to this day. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
30.5	761	$21,480

2 Bethune-Cookman University

Daytona Beach, Florida
School Website

Bethune-Cookman University was ranked #24 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They are a charter member of the United Negro College Fund, which was co-created by school founder Mary McLeod Bethune in 1943, with Tuskegee Institute president, Frederick Patterson. With a student to faculty ratio of 15:1, they offer 36 traditional bachelor’s and seven master’s, and now offer eight bachelor’s and three master’s degrees online. Bethune-Cookman University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
31	3,934	$14,410

1 Tougaloo College

Tougaloo, Mississippi
School Website

Tougaloo College was ranked #11 on US News and World Report’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In the 1960’s, they opened their campus to Freedom Riders and other civil rights workers as a haven for planning and as a sanctuary. With a student to faculty ratio of 11:1, the college is comprised of five divisions, education, humanities, natural science, social science and continuing education. Tougaloo College is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Points	Enrollment	Tuition
31	860	$10,600

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