Top 10 Yellow Ribbon HBCUs
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, also known as HBCUs are defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965 as “…Any historically black college or university” opened before 1964, “whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association..”
According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the earliest HBCUs were established in the mid-1800s and included more than 90 schools, such as Shaw University, Hampton University, and Talladega College.
There are 107 HBCUs in the United States, both public and private, serving nearly a quarter million students. According to U.S. News and World Report, these are the best HBCUs with Yellow Ribbon programs.
What Is the Yellow Ribbon Program?
The Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, picks up where the GI Bill leaves off—it covers out-of-state, private school, or graduate school tuition and fees the GI Bill does not.
By bridging the gap between GI Bill benefits and tuition costs, the Yellow Ribbon Program enhances educational opportunities for veterans, making higher education more accessible and affordable; it provides veterans with greater flexibility and financial assistance in their pursuit of a degree.
Learn more about the Yellow Ribbon program
10. Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is a small university with just over 2000 undergraduates across 37 Bachelor’s and three Master’s programs. It is a Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund member and part of the University of North Carolina system.
Popular majors at Elizabeth City State include business, criminal justice, and liberal arts and humanities. ECSU teams participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
9. Bowie State University
Bowie, Maryland’s Bowie State University offers a diverse undergraduate and graduate degree programs and serves over 5,500 students. Over 75 percent of the university’s 165 full-time faculty members hold terminal degrees in their specialized fields.
The university offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs, focusing on science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing within a liberal arts framework—Bowie also ranks among the top five national producers of African American students with Master’s Degrees in technology, science, and mathematics.
8. University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) serves a diverse student body from nearly three dozen countries, offering undergraduate degrees in 38 disciplines and 16 unique graduate programs. Bachelor’s degree programs at UMES include agribusiness, aviation science, construction management, engineering technology, environmental science, hospitality and tourism management, and rehabilitation services.
The university also offers Master’s Degrees in education, applied computer science, chemistry, criminology and criminal justice, cybersecurity engineering technology, food and agricultural sciences, and rehabilitation counseling.
7. Winston-Salem State University
Founded in 1892, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) offers various undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple fields, including business, health sciences, education, and the liberal arts. The university is known for its strong emphasis on academic excellence and community engagement, providing students with leadership and professional development opportunities.
WSSU’s vibrant campus life includes numerous student organizations, athletics, and cultural events, all contributing to a supportive and enriching educational environment. The university has about 5000 students, offers 37 bachelor’s degree programs, and maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio.
6. Fisk University
With about a thousand students enrolled, Nashville’s Fisk University is one of the smallest HBCUs on this list. It offers approximately 20 undergraduate and graduate programs within a liberal arts framework. Students can major in other areas, including homeland security, modern foreign languages, and biochemistry and molecular biology.
Fisk also provides several dual degree options, including its Pathway to Nursing program, allowing health sciences students to complete their degree in three years and smoothly transition to finishing their nursing education at Galen College of Nursing. It also offers pre-professional programs in partnership with Case Western Reserve University and Vanderbilt University.
5. Morgan State University
Located in a picturesque residential area of northeast Baltimore, Morgan State University‘s campus has cutting-edge facilities designed to foster innovative teaching, learning, and research. About 7000 students attend this school, and popular programs include liberal arts and humanities, electrical engineering, and business.
Since 2020, Morgan State has expanded its academic offerings by introducing over 30 new programs, raising its total to more than 140 degrees. In the past year alone, the university has rolled out nine new programs, many created from concepts proposed and developed by its faculty.
4. Claflin University
South Carolina’s first HBCU, Claflin University, is a liberal arts institution offering nearly 40 majors. It integrates career-focused programs, internships, and experiential learning into its educational approach, fostering what the school terms “Claflin Confidence,” a mindset designed to ensure students’ success beyond graduation.
Claflin also participates in the esteemed Student Freedom Initiative, a program that supports students in STEM fields through internships, tutoring, and financial assistance.
3. North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University
With nearly 14,000 students, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University (NC A&T) is said to be the largest HBCU in the United States. A research university, it is renowned for its strong emphasis on STEM disciplines, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The university leads the nation in graduating African American engineers and agricultural scientists.
NC A&T fosters an immersive campus experience with over 200 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, professional societies, and cultural clubs.
2. Hampton University
Hampton University, located on Chesapeake Bay, offers over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs. The university also provides numerous opportunities for student involvement, with more than 100 student-run organizations and arts events, such as theater performances, concerts, and recitals.
The university has a beautiful campus along the Chesapeake Bay waterfront and is recognized for its landmark Emancipation Oak, a historic symbol of freedom where the first Southern reading of the Emancipation Proclamation took place.
1. Xavier University of Louisiana
Founded by Katharine Drexel, Xavier University of Louisiana is the only Catholic HBCU in the Pelican State. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including 40 undergraduate majors, five Master’s degree programs, and a pharmacy doctorate.
Xavier is recognized as a national leader in liberal arts and sciences and has the distinction of producing the largest number of African American graduates who complete medical school. The student body is exceptionally diverse, with students from every state and over 35 countries.
About the author
Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.