by Anton Polouektov
When the time comes for selecting which higher education institution to attend, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are often forgotten, ignored, or viewed as second-rate in comparison with more traditional schools. Parents and prospective students alike are sometimes reluctant to consider these colleges, which they may view as homogeneous, rigid, and dogmatic. The truth, however, is that today’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities are highly dynamic, progressive, and diverse institutions of higher learning that offer academic and extracurricular programs on par or exceeding those offered on comparable “traditional” campuses.
Not to mention, these colleges generally provide a high quality of education at affordable prices at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels and tend to represent better overall value than similarly-ranked traditional colleges. Complementing their academic credentials are these schools’ rich historical backgrounds and their unique social and cultural environments. It’s difficult to measure the impact of the “Black experience” for the alumni of the 100+ HBCUs in the country but it’s safe to say that these schools foster a high level of fellowship and camaraderie, helping students to not only establish life long connections but to also enhance a sense of cultural identity.
To illustrate Historically Black colleges’ academic prominence, The Atlanta Post has compiled a list of the top ten HBCUs, along with their 2009-2010 tuition and fee information (not necessarily including room and board).
10. North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $13,414 (out of state); $3,670 (instate)
The only public college in this top-ten list, North Carolina Central University represents an unbeatable opportunity for prospective students to receive a high quality education at only a tiny fraction of the price of other similarly-ranked institutions. With a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctorate degree tracks, NCCU has something to appeal to everyone, including Business and Law programs and ample hands-on research opportunities. Overall, North Carolina Central University offers an unparalleled cost-benefit ratio among HBCUs, making it an attractive option for anyone reluctant to accrue large debts yet not wanting to compromise education quality.
NEXT
9. Dillard University, New Orleans, LA.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $13,880
Founded in the wake of the Civil War with the goal of preparing newly-freed slaves for full entry into the American society, Dillard University’s historical background is a richly-woven tapestry that contributes to infusing a collective sense of pride into the school’s graduates. The 2002 establishment of the Institute of Jazz Culture made Dillard University the premier destination for Jazz and music lovers across the country, cementing the school’s position as a New Orleans cultural landmark. Despite suffering severe damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina, Dillard University was able to resume its operations and even improve some of its facilities.
NEXT
8. Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $10,286
Claflin University, a pioneer of integrated education in the American South, is home to a host of top-quality academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs. Though Claflin was originally established as a Methodist school, theology has long since taken a backseat to educational excellence – Claflin’s baccalaureate and graduate programs are firmly career-focused, offering students plentiful internship opportunities in addition to first-rate academics. Claflin University’s student body, like its academic curriculum, is highly diverse and includes global student exchange programs.
NEXT
7. Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $16,110
Tuskegee University has retained its traditionally uncompromising commitment to the provision of high quality education to a primarily African-American student body since the days of Booker T. Washington, the school’s legendarily indefatigable first principal. Throughout its long history replete with stories of struggle against injustice, Tuskegee University has remained one of the top-ranking Black schools in the country. Today, its focus has shifted to innovation with the establishment of a unique Bioethics and Research program that strives to explore moral issues pertaining to the medical treatment of minorities in the United States.
NEXT
6. Hampton University, Hampton, VA.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $17,212
With its rich, storied history and impressive alumni list, Hampton University is an attractive option for students interested in attending a historically African-American school that treats its origins and traditions with deep reverence, but also aspires to fostering progressive attitudes in its students and alumni. Hampton University’s diverse academic curriculum includes both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate programs that are consistently recognized as some of the best in the nation. An extensive selection of top-notch athletic programs complements the college’s impressive academic credentials.
NEXT
5. Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $16,300
Louisiana’s Xavier University is the only historically Catholic Black college in the United States, but despite its sectarian beginnings, it has went on to become a school with a solid commitment to diversity and liberal education values. Xavier University offers prospective students a number of highly competitive scientific education programs and is traditionally recognized as one of the best HBCUs for natural sciences and preparatory medical education. On top of that, Xavier University’s Pharmacy School consistently occupies top spots in national rankings. President Obama, who has taken an interest in the college in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, is an honorary degree holder.
NEXT
4. Fisk University, Nashville, TN.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $17,000
As the oldest accredited Southern HBCU, Fisk University’s academic roots run deep. In addition to being a nationally-recognized landmark, Fisk University of today is one of the country’s most prominent African-American educational institutions with an outstanding record of doctorate degree conferral in natural science fields. Though Fisk University itself offers no graduate program, its undergraduate curriculum serves as excellent preparation for anyone striving to enter the ranks of academia. Fisk University is also home to the Fisk Jubilee Singers – one of the oldest and highly celebrated African-American musical groups around.
NEXT
3. Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $21,376
One of the few traditional male colleges remaining in the United States, Morehouse College is a piece of living history as much as it is an educational institution. Morehouse College is also a highly prestigious school — a member of the “Black Ivy League” is the alma mater of many Black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., it is without a doubt one of the central pillars of historical African-American higher education. Its rigorous academic curriculum, ranked next to such heavyweights as MIT and John Hopkins, guarantees a top-tier undergraduate-level education to any student bold enough to take on the challenge of mastering it.
NEXT
2. Howard University, Washington, DC.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $16,075
Providing a consistently high quality of education since 1867, Howard University is an institution deeply committed to preserving and improving educational opportunities available to African-Americans. Howard University offers a wide selection of academic programs at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, as well as ample opportunities for extracurricular involvement, resulting in a student body that is uncharacteristically diverse given the school’s size. Though Howard accumulated some negative publicity in recent years due to high-profile divisions within the faculty, the school’s commitment to academic excellence remains beyond question and its plethora of celebrity alumni help consistently keep its name in the news.
NEXT
1. Spelman College, Atlanta, GA.
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $20,926
This renowned private women’s college located in the heart of Atlanta has consistently remained in the top five rankings of historically black colleges nationwide, attesting to the excellence of its academic programs and dedication of its staff. The school’s small size ensures the provision of quality education across all spectra of the curriculum. Recently, the college attracted a $1 million grant aimed at boosting the profile of its engineering program, showing that Spelman retains its attractiveness to corporations seeking to invest in higher education.
