What are Historically Black Colleges or Universities?
Definition:
The term "historically black colleges and universities" or HBCUs may sound like it merely means the school has a high percentage of African-American students. But HBCUs are actually much more than that. They were a significant achievement in a nation that had been riled by civil unrest and racial discrimination: 105 two- and four-year colleges and universities founded between 1837 and 1964 to serve a community that was not allowed, in some states, to attend public universities.
Under the Morrill Act of 1890, the 17 U.S. states that refused to admit African-American students to their land grant colleges (which are public, taxpayer-funded schools) were required to open land grant universities for their African-American teens. Most of the nation's historically black colleges and universities were opened with Morrill Act funding. While these schools typically house a very high percentage of African-American students, they do not exclude other races.
Today, any HCBU - a U.S. Department of Education designation - is eligible for special federal funding to be used for research, as well as outreach. The U.S. News and World Report college rankings include a special category for the best HCBUs in the country. The 2011 list ranked Spelman and Morehouse, two universities in Atlanta, Georgia, in the first and third spots, respectively. Howard in Washington, D.C. earned second place.
Also Known As: HBCU, HBCUs
Alternate Spellings: HBCU
The term "historically black colleges and universities" or HBCUs may sound like it merely means the school has a high percentage of African-American students. But HBCUs are actually much more than that. They were a significant achievement in a nation that had been riled by civil unrest and racial discrimination: 105 two- and four-year colleges and universities founded between 1837 and 1964 to serve a community that was not allowed, in some states, to attend public universities.
Under the Morrill Act of 1890, the 17 U.S. states that refused to admit African-American students to their land grant colleges (which are public, taxpayer-funded schools) were required to open land grant universities for their African-American teens. Most of the nation's historically black colleges and universities were opened with Morrill Act funding. While these schools typically house a very high percentage of African-American students, they do not exclude other races.
Today, any HCBU - a U.S. Department of Education designation - is eligible for special federal funding to be used for research, as well as outreach. The U.S. News and World Report college rankings include a special category for the best HCBUs in the country. The 2011 list ranked Spelman and Morehouse, two universities in Atlanta, Georgia, in the first and third spots, respectively. Howard in Washington, D.C. earned second place.
Also Known As: HBCU, HBCUs
Alternate Spellings: HBCU
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