How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

Most, Least Affordable HBCUs

Updated on:

We receive commissions from our advertising partners. These commissions do not influence our recommendations. Click here to learn more.

For some students, attending a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the U.S. aligns with their personal and professional goals. However, as both the inflation rate and cost-of-living expenses increase, affording rising tuition can be a challenge for many students and families.

To learn more about the affordability of HBCUs, LendingTree researchers dug into U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, using average annual net cost to determine which schools are the most and least affordable. Net cost includes expenses such as tuition, room, board and books, while accounting for grants and scholarships.

Coahoma Community College in Mississippi is the cheapest HBCU, while Spelman College in Atlanta is the least affordable, according to the findings. Here’s more about the cost of HBCUs.

On this page

Key findings
Most and least affordable HBCUs
Looking to leave school with less than $20,000 in debt? Consider these 5 HBCUs
Where 75% of HBCU students graduate within 150% of normal time
3 years after entering repayment, these HBCUs have the biggest groups paying down student loan debt
Finding the right HBCU
Methodology

Key findings

Coahoma Community College is the most affordable HBCU. The average annual net cost to attend the two-year public school in Clarksdale, Miss., is $1,004. The No. 2 college — Elizabeth City State University, a four-year public school in North Carolina — has a net cost more than double that, at $2,350.
Spelman College is the least affordable HBCU. The average annual net cost to attend the four-year private Atlanta school is $43,843. Only one other school — Howard University, a four-year private school in Washington, D.C. — has a net cost above $40,000.
Denmark Technical College graduates have the lowest median student loan debt among HBCUs. Students graduate from the two-year public South Carolina school with an average of $9,000 in debt. Meanwhile, students at American Baptist College — a four-year private school in Nashville, Tenn. — leave school with the highest median student loan debt at $41,000.
Only two HBCUs — Clinton College and Spelman College — see at least 75% of their students graduate within 150% of normal time. For Clinton College — a two-year private school in Rock Hill, S.C. — that typically means graduating within three years. At Spelman, that usually means graduating within six years.

Most and least affordable HBCUs

Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss., is the most affordable HBCU in the U.S. This two-year public school has a net cost of $1,004, less than half that of the next college — Elizabeth City State University, a four-year public school in North Carolina — at $2,350.

Among the five most affordable HBCUs, four are public institutions. Of those five, four are two-year schools, while just one is a four-year college. In fact, most of the institutions at the top of the list are public schools — a mix of two-year and four-year colleges — with private ones appearing periodically. Meanwhile, private schools dominate the bottom of the list.

In particular, Spelman College, a four-year private institute in Atlanta, is the least affordable HBCU, with a net cost of $43,843. Spelman was followed closely by Howard University in Washington, D.C. Howard — also a four-year private institute — has a net cost of $41,289.

The most expensive two-year institution is Virginia University of Lynchburg. This private school has a net cost of $22,042.

Most — and least — affordable HBCUs

Rank HBCU City State Institution type Net cost

1 Coahoma Community College Clarksdale MS 2-year public $1,004

2 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City NC 4-year public $2,350

3 Simmons College of Kentucky Louisville KY 2-year private $3,394

4 J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College Huntsville AL 2-year public $3,589

5 Gadsden State Community College Gadsden AL 2-year public $4,427

6 Bishop State Community College Mobile AL 2-year public $4,976

7 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville NC 4-year public $5,899

8 Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa AL 2-year public $6,217

9 St. Philip's College San Antonio TX 2-year public $6,250

10 H. Councill Trenholm State Community College Montgomery AL 2-year public $6,723

11 Kentucky State University Frankfort KY 4-year public $7,076

12 Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans LA 4-year public $7,632

13 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney PA 4-year public $7,656

14 Lincoln University Jefferson City MO 4-year public $7,830

15 Southwestern Christian College Terrell TX 4-year private $7,928

16 Lawson State Community College Birmingham AL 2-year public $8,039

17 Bluefield State College Bluefield WV 4-year public $8,367

18 Southern University at Shreveport Shreveport LA 2-year public $8,878

19 LeMoyne-Owen College Memphis TN 4-year private $9,109

20 Selma University Selma AL 4-year private $9,229

21 Savannah State University Savannah GA 4-year public $10,220

22 North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro NC 4-year public $10,274

23 Central State University Wilberforce OH 4-year public $10,451

24 University of the Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie VI 4-year public $10,489

25 Harris-Stowe State University Saint Louis MO 4-year public $10,551

26 Rust College Holly Springs MS 4-year private $11,317

27 Coppin State University Baltimore MD 4-year public $11,686

28 Langston University Langston OK 4-year public $12,131

29 Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem NC 4-year public $12,286

30 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff AR 4-year public $12,320

31 Tennessee State University Nashville TN 4-year public $12,443

32 Norfolk State University Norfolk VA 4-year public $12,645

33 Edward Waters College Jacksonville FL 4-year private $12,653

34 Lane College Jackson TN 4-year private $12,966

35 Albany State University Albany GA 4-year public $12,992

36 Delaware State University Dover DE 4-year public $12,995

37 Paine College Augusta GA 4-year private $13,072

38 Denmark Technical College Denmark SC 2-year public $13,440

39 Fort Valley State University Fort Valley GA 4-year public $13,650

40 Alabama State University Montgomery AL 4-year public $13,650

41 Shorter College North Little Rock AR 2-year private $13,747

42 Paul Quinn College Dallas TX 4-year private $13,951

43 Texas College Tyler TX 4-year private $14,088

44 Philander Smith College Little Rock AR 4-year private $14,141

45 Jarvis Christian College Hawkins TX 4-year private $14,152

46 Benedict College Columbia SC 4-year private $14,291

47 Miles College Fairfield AL 4-year private $14,303

48 Allen University Columbia SC 4-year private $14,306

49 West Virginia State University Institute WV 4-year public $14,408

50 Jackson State University Jackson MS 4-year public $14,484

51 Prairie View A&M University Prairie View TX 4-year public $14,582

52 Tougaloo College Tougaloo MS 4-year private $14,609

53 North Carolina Central University Durham NC 4-year public $14,732

54 Alcorn State University Alcorn State MS 4-year public $14,836

55 Alabama A&M University Normal AL 4-year public $14,990

56 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee FL 4-year public $15,060

57 Clinton College Rock Hill SC 4-year private $15,393

58 Talladega College Talladega AL 4-year private $15,661

59 Wilberforce University Wilberforce OH 4-year private $15,684

60 University of the District of Columbia Washington DC 4-year public $15,894

61 Bowie State University Bowie MD 4-year public $15,934

62 Morris College Sumter SC 4-year private $16,105

63 Southern University and A&M College Baton Rouge LA 4-year public $16,312

64 Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena MS 4-year public $16,394

65 Huston-Tillotson University Austin TX 4-year private $16,775

66 Virginia State University Petersburg VA 4-year public $16,970

67 University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne MD 4-year public $16,980

68 Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach FL 4-year private $16,995

69 Voorhees College Denmark SC 4-year private $17,113

70 Dillard University New Orleans LA 4-year private $17,128

71 Morgan State University Baltimore MD 4-year public $17,619

72 Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens FL 4-year private $17,625

73 Wiley College Marshall TX 4-year private $17,666

74 Lincoln University Lincoln University PA 4-year public $17,731

75 Livingstone College Salisbury NC 4-year private $18,006

76 Claflin University Orangeburg SC 4-year private $18,136

77 Stillman College Tuscaloosa AL 4-year private $18,352

78 Grambling State University Grambling LA 4-year public $18,516

79 Saint Augustine's University Raleigh NC 4-year private $18,596

80 Arkansas Baptist College Little Rock AR 4-year private $19,029

81 Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte NC 4-year private $19,220

82 Shaw University Raleigh NC 4-year private $19,244

83 Texas Southern University Houston TX 4-year public $19,430

84 American Baptist College Nashville TN 4-year private $19,581

85 Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans LA 4-year private $19,715

86 South Carolina State University Orangeburg SC 4-year public $20,795

87 Bennett College Greensboro NC 4-year private $21,356

88 Virginia Union University Richmond VA 4-year private $21,813

89 Virginia University of Lynchburg Lynchburg VA 2-year private $22,042

90 Fisk University Nashville TN 4-year private $24,225

91 Oakwood University Huntsville AL 4-year private $24,274

92 Hampton University Hampton VA 4-year private $31,307

93 Morehouse College Atlanta GA 4-year private $31,327

94 Clark Atlanta University Atlanta GA 4-year private $34,263

95 Tuskegee University Tuskegee AL 4-year private $34,575

96 Howard University Washington DC 4-year private $41,289

97 Spelman College Atlanta GA 4-year private $43,843

Rank	HBCU	City	State	Institution type	Net cost
1	Coahoma Community College	Clarksdale	MS	2-year public	$1,004
2	Elizabeth City State University	Elizabeth City	NC	4-year public	$2,350
3	Simmons College of Kentucky	Louisville	KY	2-year private	$3,394
4	J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College	Huntsville	AL	2-year public	$3,589
5	Gadsden State Community College	Gadsden	AL	2-year public	$4,427
6	Bishop State Community College	Mobile	AL	2-year public	$4,976
7	Fayetteville State University	Fayetteville	NC	4-year public	$5,899
8	Shelton State Community College	Tuscaloosa	AL	2-year public	$6,217
9	St. Philip's College	San Antonio	TX	2-year public	$6,250
10	H. Councill Trenholm State Community College	Montgomery	AL	2-year public	$6,723
11	Kentucky State University	Frankfort	KY	4-year public	$7,076
12	Southern University at New Orleans	New Orleans	LA	4-year public	$7,632
13	Cheyney University of Pennsylvania	Cheyney	PA	4-year public	$7,656
14	Lincoln University	Jefferson City	MO	4-year public	$7,830
15	Southwestern Christian College	Terrell	TX	4-year private	$7,928
16	Lawson State Community College	Birmingham	AL	2-year public	$8,039
17	Bluefield State College	Bluefield	WV	4-year public	$8,367
18	Southern University at Shreveport	Shreveport	LA	2-year public	$8,878
19	LeMoyne-Owen College	Memphis	TN	4-year private	$9,109
20	Selma University	Selma	AL	4-year private	$9,229
21	Savannah State University	Savannah	GA	4-year public	$10,220
22	North Carolina A&T State University	Greensboro	NC	4-year public	$10,274
23	Central State University	Wilberforce	OH	4-year public	$10,451
24	University of the Virgin Islands	Charlotte Amalie	VI	4-year public	$10,489
25	Harris-Stowe State University	Saint Louis	MO	4-year public	$10,551
26	Rust College	Holly Springs	MS	4-year private	$11,317
27	Coppin State University	Baltimore	MD	4-year public	$11,686
28	Langston University	Langston	OK	4-year public	$12,131
29	Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem	NC	4-year public	$12,286
30	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	Pine Bluff	AR	4-year public	$12,320
31	Tennessee State University	Nashville	TN	4-year public	$12,443
32	Norfolk State University	Norfolk	VA	4-year public	$12,645
33	Edward Waters College	Jacksonville	FL	4-year private	$12,653
34	Lane College	Jackson	TN	4-year private	$12,966
35	Albany State University	Albany	GA	4-year public	$12,992
36	Delaware State University	Dover	DE	4-year public	$12,995
37	Paine College	Augusta	GA	4-year private	$13,072
38	Denmark Technical College	Denmark	SC	2-year public	$13,440
39	Fort Valley State University	Fort Valley	GA	4-year public	$13,650
40	Alabama State University	Montgomery	AL	4-year public	$13,650
41	Shorter College	North Little Rock	AR	2-year private	$13,747
42	Paul Quinn College	Dallas	TX	4-year private	$13,951
43	Texas College	Tyler	TX	4-year private	$14,088
44	Philander Smith College	Little Rock	AR	4-year private	$14,141
45	Jarvis Christian College	Hawkins	TX	4-year private	$14,152
46	Benedict College	Columbia	SC	4-year private	$14,291
47	Miles College	Fairfield	AL	4-year private	$14,303
48	Allen University	Columbia	SC	4-year private	$14,306
49	West Virginia State University	Institute	WV	4-year public	$14,408
50	Jackson State University	Jackson	MS	4-year public	$14,484
51	Prairie View A&M University	Prairie View	TX	4-year public	$14,582
52	Tougaloo College	Tougaloo	MS	4-year private	$14,609
53	North Carolina Central University	Durham	NC	4-year public	$14,732
54	Alcorn State University	Alcorn State	MS	4-year public	$14,836
55	Alabama A&M University	Normal	AL	4-year public	$14,990
56	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	Tallahassee	FL	4-year public	$15,060
57	Clinton College	Rock Hill	SC	4-year private	$15,393
58	Talladega College	Talladega	AL	4-year private	$15,661
59	Wilberforce University	Wilberforce	OH	4-year private	$15,684
60	University of the District of Columbia	Washington	DC	4-year public	$15,894
61	Bowie State University	Bowie	MD	4-year public	$15,934
62	Morris College	Sumter	SC	4-year private	$16,105
63	Southern University and A&M College	Baton Rouge	LA	4-year public	$16,312
64	Mississippi Valley State University	Itta Bena	MS	4-year public	$16,394
65	Huston-Tillotson University	Austin	TX	4-year private	$16,775
66	Virginia State University	Petersburg	VA	4-year public	$16,970
67	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	Princess Anne	MD	4-year public	$16,980
68	Bethune-Cookman University	Daytona Beach	FL	4-year private	$16,995
69	Voorhees College	Denmark	SC	4-year private	$17,113
70	Dillard University	New Orleans	LA	4-year private	$17,128
71	Morgan State University	Baltimore	MD	4-year public	$17,619
72	Florida Memorial University	Miami Gardens	FL	4-year private	$17,625
73	Wiley College	Marshall	TX	4-year private	$17,666
74	Lincoln University	Lincoln University	PA	4-year public	$17,731
75	Livingstone College	Salisbury	NC	4-year private	$18,006
76	Claflin University	Orangeburg	SC	4-year private	$18,136
77	Stillman College	Tuscaloosa	AL	4-year private	$18,352
78	Grambling State University	Grambling	LA	4-year public	$18,516
79	Saint Augustine's University	Raleigh	NC	4-year private	$18,596
80	Arkansas Baptist College	Little Rock	AR	4-year private	$19,029
81	Johnson C. Smith University	Charlotte	NC	4-year private	$19,220
82	Shaw University	Raleigh	NC	4-year private	$19,244
83	Texas Southern University	Houston	TX	4-year public	$19,430
84	American Baptist College	Nashville	TN	4-year private	$19,581
85	Xavier University of Louisiana	New Orleans	LA	4-year private	$19,715
86	South Carolina State University	Orangeburg	SC	4-year public	$20,795
87	Bennett College	Greensboro	NC	4-year private	$21,356
88	Virginia Union University	Richmond	VA	4-year private	$21,813
89	Virginia University of Lynchburg	Lynchburg	VA	2-year private	$22,042
90	Fisk University	Nashville	TN	4-year private	$24,225
91	Oakwood University	Huntsville	AL	4-year private	$24,274
92	Hampton University	Hampton	VA	4-year private	$31,307
93	Morehouse College	Atlanta	GA	4-year private	$31,327
94	Clark Atlanta University	Atlanta	GA	4-year private	$34,263
95	Tuskegee University	Tuskegee	AL	4-year private	$34,575
96	Howard University	Washington	DC	4-year private	$41,289
97	Spelman College	Atlanta	GA	4-year private	$43,843

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Looking to leave school with less than $20,000 in debt? Consider these 5 HBCUs

According to our latest student loan debt statistics update, students in the class of 2020 graduated with an average of $28,400 in federal and private debt. However, attending an HBCU and walking away with less than $20,000 in debt is possible.

Five HBCUs have a median student loan debt among graduates of less than $20,000:

Denmark Technical College
- Median debt: $9,000
- Net cost: $13,440
- Institution type: 2-year public
Southwestern Christian College
- Median debt: $9,561
- Net cost: $7,928
- Institution type: 4-year private
St. Philip’s College
- Median debt: $10,500
- Net cost: $6,250
- Institution type: 2-year public
University of the Virgin Islands
- Median debt: $15,750
- Net cost: $10,489
- Institution type: 4-year public
Southern University at Shreveport
- Median debt: $17,250
- Net cost: $8,878
- Institution type: 2-year public

On the other hand, many HBCUs have students who graduate with rather large median debts. Across the 88 HBCUs researchers examined (based on available data), 50 had students graduate with a median debt greater than the average across the schools of $28,288.

American Baptist College — a four-year private school in Nashville, Tenn. — and Virginia University of Lynchburg — a two-year private school — had the largest median debt totals among the HBCUs. Both schools are also among the 14 with the highest net cost.

American Baptist College
- Median debt: $41,000
- Net cost: $19,581
- Institution type: 4-year private
Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Median debt: $40,429
- Net cost: $22,042
- Institution type: 2-year private

When choosing between a public and private school, LendingTree senior writer Andrew Pentis recommends that students consider the factors that vary the most between the two.

Variables such as tuition, class, campus size and academic program options can swing widely. For instance, a public college is typically much less expensive to attend than a private university. And while a private school might have smaller class sizes, it might also feature less diversity on campus.

“Students who aren’t sure what they want to study might like the idea of attending a larger school, whether it’s public or private, to give them a wider array of degree programs to consider, plus a larger faculty and staff to lean on for support,” Pentis says. “At the end of the day, students should find out which schools suit them best instead of limiting their search to either public or private.”

Median student loan debt among graduates at HBCUs

Rank HBCU Median debt Rank HBCU Median debt

1 Denmark Technical College $9,000 45 Jarvis Christian College $29,406

2 Southwestern Christian College $9,561 46 Morgan State University $29,473

3 St. Philip's College $10,500 47 Texas Southern University $29,531

4 University of the Virgin Islands $15,750 48 Lincoln University (Missouri) $29,750

5 Southern University at Shreveport $17,250 49 Alcorn State University $30,385

6 Bluefield State College $20,500 50 Miles College $30,444

7 Clinton College $20,750 51 Jackson State University $30,488

8 Wilberforce University $21,129 52 Virginia Union University $30,500

9 Bowie State University $22,750 53 North Carolina Central University $30,569

10 Fayetteville State University $23,208 54 Oakwood University $30,676

11 West Virginia State University $23,269 55 Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) $30,855

12 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $23,553 56 Claflin University $30,931

13 Coppin State University $24,076 57 Savannah State University $31,000

14 LeMoyne-Owen College $24,250 58 Southern University and A&M College $31,000

15 Xavier University of Louisiana $24,500 59 Mississippi Valley State University $31,000

16 Philander Smith College $25,000 60 Bennett College $31,000

17 Howard University $25,000 61 Johnson C. Smith University $31,000

18 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University $25,000 62 Central State University $31,000

19 Elizabeth City State University $25,000 63 South Carolina State University $31,000

20 Winston-Salem State University $25,000 64 Texas College $31,000

21 Wiley College $25,000 65 Norfolk State University $31,000

22 Arkansas Baptist College $25,250 66 Southern University at New Orleans $31,031

23 Shorter College $25,250 67 Harris-Stowe State University $31,688

24 Morehouse College $25,250 68 Morris College $31,775

25 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania $25,500 69 Talladega College $31,990

26 University of the District of Columbia $25,889 70 Alabama State University $32,000

27 Delaware State University $26,000 71 Dillard University $32,000

28 Spelman College $26,000 72 Stillman College $32,500

29 Fisk University $26,000 73 Allen University $32,530

30 Hampton University $26,000 74 Bethune-Cookman University $32,750

31 Albany State University $27,000 75 Florida Memorial University $33,000

32 Clark Atlanta University $27,000 76 Alabama A&M University $33,375

33 University of Maryland Eastern Shore $27,000 77 Fort Valley State University $33,560

34 Rust College $27,000 78 Tougaloo College $34,037

35 Voorhees College $27,000 79 Selma University $34,300

36 Tennessee State University $27,000 80 Shaw University $34,315

37 North Carolina A&T State University $27,706 81 Paine College $34,949

38 Langston University $27,949 82 Livingstone College $35,000

39 Huston-Tillotson University $28,456 83 Saint Augustine's University $35,000

40 Kentucky State University $28,504 84 Lane College $35,063

41 Edward Waters College $29,000 85 Benedict College $36,000

42 Prairie View A&M University $29,000 86 Grambling State University $37,192

43 Virginia State University $29,000 87 Virginia University of Lynchburg $40,429

44 Tuskegee University $29,090 88 American Baptist College $41,000

Rank	HBCU	Median debt	Rank	HBCU	Median debt
1	Denmark Technical College	$9,000	45	Jarvis Christian College	$29,406
2	Southwestern Christian College	$9,561	46	Morgan State University	$29,473
3	St. Philip's College	$10,500	47	Texas Southern University	$29,531
4	University of the Virgin Islands	$15,750	48	Lincoln University (Missouri)	$29,750
5	Southern University at Shreveport	$17,250	49	Alcorn State University	$30,385
6	Bluefield State College	$20,500	50	Miles College	$30,444
7	Clinton College	$20,750	51	Jackson State University	$30,488
8	Wilberforce University	$21,129	52	Virginia Union University	$30,500
9	Bowie State University	$22,750	53	North Carolina Central University	$30,569
10	Fayetteville State University	$23,208	54	Oakwood University	$30,676
11	West Virginia State University	$23,269	55	Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)	$30,855
12	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	$23,553	56	Claflin University	$30,931
13	Coppin State University	$24,076	57	Savannah State University	$31,000
14	LeMoyne-Owen College	$24,250	58	Southern University and A&M College	$31,000
15	Xavier University of Louisiana	$24,500	59	Mississippi Valley State University	$31,000
16	Philander Smith College	$25,000	60	Bennett College	$31,000
17	Howard University	$25,000	61	Johnson C. Smith University	$31,000
18	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	$25,000	62	Central State University	$31,000
19	Elizabeth City State University	$25,000	63	South Carolina State University	$31,000
20	Winston-Salem State University	$25,000	64	Texas College	$31,000
21	Wiley College	$25,000	65	Norfolk State University	$31,000
22	Arkansas Baptist College	$25,250	66	Southern University at New Orleans	$31,031
23	Shorter College	$25,250	67	Harris-Stowe State University	$31,688
24	Morehouse College	$25,250	68	Morris College	$31,775
25	Cheyney University of Pennsylvania	$25,500	69	Talladega College	$31,990
26	University of the District of Columbia	$25,889	70	Alabama State University	$32,000
27	Delaware State University	$26,000	71	Dillard University	$32,000
28	Spelman College	$26,000	72	Stillman College	$32,500
29	Fisk University	$26,000	73	Allen University	$32,530
30	Hampton University	$26,000	74	Bethune-Cookman University	$32,750
31	Albany State University	$27,000	75	Florida Memorial University	$33,000
32	Clark Atlanta University	$27,000	76	Alabama A&M University	$33,375
33	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	$27,000	77	Fort Valley State University	$33,560
34	Rust College	$27,000	78	Tougaloo College	$34,037
35	Voorhees College	$27,000	79	Selma University	$34,300
36	Tennessee State University	$27,000	80	Shaw University	$34,315
37	North Carolina A&T State University	$27,706	81	Paine College	$34,949
38	Langston University	$27,949	82	Livingstone College	$35,000
39	Huston-Tillotson University	$28,456	83	Saint Augustine's University	$35,000
40	Kentucky State University	$28,504	84	Lane College	$35,063
41	Edward Waters College	$29,000	85	Benedict College	$36,000
42	Prairie View A&M University	$29,000	86	Grambling State University	$37,192
43	Virginia State University	$29,000	87	Virginia University of Lynchburg	$40,429
44	Tuskegee University	$29,090	88	American Baptist College	$41,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Note: HBCUs with incomplete information were excluded.

Where 75% of HBCU students graduate within 150% of normal time

Before going into this statistic, it’s important to know what this means — and why it matters. Graduation rates within 150% of normal time are calculated using factors such as the number of students seeking a degree and completion rates.

For example, for a student seeking a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college, 150% of normal time is usually six years. On the other hand, for a student getting an associate degree, this would mean 150% of normal time is typically three years.

Knowing this information about an institution can give you an idea of how long it may take you to finish your degree at this school.

Among the HBCUs studied, only two schools had 75% of their students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Clinton College: 75.6%
- Institution type: 4-year private
- Location: Rock Hill, S.C.
Spelman College: 75.1%
- Institution type: 4-year private
- Location: Atlanta

This was a bit surprising, according to Pentis, as Spelman College was considered the least affordable school in the study with a net cost of $43,843. While Clinton College was significantly less expensive with a net cost of $15,393, it was still in the bottom half of most expensive HBCUs.

“In some ways, one would think higher-priced schools would have lower graduation rates because affordability can inhibit a student’s chances of staying in school and on track for their degree,” Pentis says.

However, schools like Clinton and Spelman have ways to circumvent that reality, such as offering significant financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. Spelman, for example, offers a variety of institutional scholarships that cover partial or full tuition costs, with some assistance lasting for as many as four years.

Pentis also points out that higher-priced, more prestigious HBCUs might attract families with deeper pockets.

“These schools might have higher graduation rates, in part, because many of their students went to very good high schools that prepared them for the rigors of college, or perhaps they come from families with multiple generations of college graduates who offer students a great support system for excelling in school,” Pentis said.

HBCU graduation rates within 150% of normal time

Rank HBCU Graduation rate Rank HBCU Graduation rate

1 Clinton College 75.6% 49 West Virginia State University 30.8%

2 Spelman College 75.1% 50 St Philip's College 30.8%

3 Howard University 65.0% 51 Bluefield State College 30.5%

4 Bennett College 63.4% 52 Alabama A&M University 29.7%

5 Hampton University 59.8% 53 Savannah State University 29.4%

6 Morehouse College 54.2% 54 Virginia Union University 28.6%

7 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 52.6% 55 Central State University 28.2%

8 Tuskegee University 51.9% 56 Rust College 28.1%

9 Xavier University of Louisiana 51.5% 57 Huston-Tillotson University 27.8%

10 Claflin University 51.3% 58 Bishop State Community College 27.6%

11 Winston-Salem State University 51.2% 59 Stillman College 27.2%

12 Oakwood University 51.0% 60 Lincoln University (Missouri) 26.8%

13 North Carolina A&T State University 50.9% 61 Edward Waters College 26.5%

14 Dillard University 50.7% 62 Southwestern Christian College 26.4%

15 Tougaloo College 50.3% 63 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 26.2%

16 Fisk University 50.2% 64 Coppin State University 25.5%

17 North Carolina Central University 49.2% 65 Kentucky State University 25.4%

18 Johnson C. Smith University 49.1% 66 Morris College 25.3%

19 Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) 47.4% 67 Gadsden State Community College 25.0%

20 Clark Atlanta University 44.3% 68 Miles College 25.0%

21 Philander Smith College 43.7% 69 Benedict College 24.5%

22 Bowie State University 43.4% 70 Livingstone College 23.8%

23 Morgan State University 43.3% 71 Albany State University 23.2%

24 Delaware State University 41.6% 72 Texas Southern University 23.1%

25 Voorhees College 41.3% 73 Allen University 22.4%

26 University of Maryland Eastern Shore 41.1% 74 Lane College 22.2%

27 Alcorn State University 40.9% 75 Southern University at New Orleans 21.2%

28 Southern University and A&M College 40.9% 76 H. Councill Trenholm State Community College 20.9%

29 Elizabeth City State University 38.5% 77 Wilberforce University 20.3%

30 Virginia State University 38.5% 78 Denmark Technical College 20.0%

31 Jackson State University 38.1% 79 Shelton State Community College 19.7%

32 Florida Memorial University 36.4% 80 Paul Quinn College 19.6%

33 Prairie View A&M University 35.9% 81 Lawson State Community College 19.5%

34 Norfolk State University 35.8% 82 Langston University 17.7%

35 Wiley College 35.7% 83 Shaw University 17.0%

36 South Carolina State University 35.2% 84 Harris-Stowe State University 17.0%

37 Grambling State University 35.1% 85 Saint Augustine's University 16.4%

38 Fort Valley State University 35.0% 86 LeMoyne-Owen College 14.2%

39 Fayetteville State University 34.3% 87 J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College 13.8%

40 Talladega College 34.0% 88 University of the District of Columbia 12.9%

41 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 33.5% 89 Paine College 12.7%

42 American Baptist College 33.3% 90 Texas College 12.4%

43 Coahoma Community College 32.9% 91 Jarvis Christian College 11.0%

44 Bethune-Cookman University 32.8% 92 Southern University at Shreveport 10.7%

45 Alabama State University 32.8% 93 Shorter College 9.5%

46 Mississippi Valley State University 31.8% 94 Arkansas Baptist College 7.8%

47 Tennessee State University 31.7% 95 Virginia University of Lynchburg 5.3%

48 University of the Virgin Islands 31.2% 96 Selma University 1.8%

Rank	HBCU	Graduation rate	Rank	HBCU	Graduation rate
1	Clinton College	75.6%	49	West Virginia State University	30.8%
2	Spelman College	75.1%	50	St Philip's College	30.8%
3	Howard University	65.0%	51	Bluefield State College	30.5%
4	Bennett College	63.4%	52	Alabama A&M University	29.7%
5	Hampton University	59.8%	53	Savannah State University	29.4%
6	Morehouse College	54.2%	54	Virginia Union University	28.6%
7	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	52.6%	55	Central State University	28.2%
8	Tuskegee University	51.9%	56	Rust College	28.1%
9	Xavier University of Louisiana	51.5%	57	Huston-Tillotson University	27.8%
10	Claflin University	51.3%	58	Bishop State Community College	27.6%
11	Winston-Salem State University	51.2%	59	Stillman College	27.2%
12	Oakwood University	51.0%	60	Lincoln University (Missouri)	26.8%
13	North Carolina A&T State University	50.9%	61	Edward Waters College	26.5%
14	Dillard University	50.7%	62	Southwestern Christian College	26.4%
15	Tougaloo College	50.3%	63	Cheyney University of Pennsylvania	26.2%
16	Fisk University	50.2%	64	Coppin State University	25.5%
17	North Carolina Central University	49.2%	65	Kentucky State University	25.4%
18	Johnson C. Smith University	49.1%	66	Morris College	25.3%
19	Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)	47.4%	67	Gadsden State Community College	25.0%
20	Clark Atlanta University	44.3%	68	Miles College	25.0%
21	Philander Smith College	43.7%	69	Benedict College	24.5%
22	Bowie State University	43.4%	70	Livingstone College	23.8%
23	Morgan State University	43.3%	71	Albany State University	23.2%
24	Delaware State University	41.6%	72	Texas Southern University	23.1%
25	Voorhees College	41.3%	73	Allen University	22.4%
26	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	41.1%	74	Lane College	22.2%
27	Alcorn State University	40.9%	75	Southern University at New Orleans	21.2%
28	Southern University and A&M College	40.9%	76	H. Councill Trenholm State Community College	20.9%
29	Elizabeth City State University	38.5%	77	Wilberforce University	20.3%
30	Virginia State University	38.5%	78	Denmark Technical College	20.0%
31	Jackson State University	38.1%	79	Shelton State Community College	19.7%
32	Florida Memorial University	36.4%	80	Paul Quinn College	19.6%
33	Prairie View A&M University	35.9%	81	Lawson State Community College	19.5%
34	Norfolk State University	35.8%	82	Langston University	17.7%
35	Wiley College	35.7%	83	Shaw University	17.0%
36	South Carolina State University	35.2%	84	Harris-Stowe State University	17.0%
37	Grambling State University	35.1%	85	Saint Augustine's University	16.4%
38	Fort Valley State University	35.0%	86	LeMoyne-Owen College	14.2%
39	Fayetteville State University	34.3%	87	J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College	13.8%
40	Talladega College	34.0%	88	University of the District of Columbia	12.9%
41	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	33.5%	89	Paine College	12.7%
42	American Baptist College	33.3%	90	Texas College	12.4%
43	Coahoma Community College	32.9%	91	Jarvis Christian College	11.0%
44	Bethune-Cookman University	32.8%	92	Southern University at Shreveport	10.7%
45	Alabama State University	32.8%	93	Shorter College	9.5%
46	Mississippi Valley State University	31.8%	94	Arkansas Baptist College	7.8%
47	Tennessee State University	31.7%	95	Virginia University of Lynchburg	5.3%
48	University of the Virgin Islands	31.2%	96	Selma University	1.8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Notes: For full-time undergraduates seeking bachelor’s degrees, 150% of normal time is typically six years. For full-time undergraduates seeking associate degrees, it’s typically three years. HBCUs with incomplete information were excluded.

3 years after entering repayment, these HBCUs have the biggest groups paying down student loan debt

Another important factor to understand when looking at HBCUs is repayment rates.

This is defined as the percentage of student borrowers that haven’t defaulted on their loans and are making repayments. This rate is typically measured at the one-, three-, five- and seven-year marks after students start paying their loans.

LendingTree researchers found that the schools with the highest repayment rates after three years are generally four-year public or private institutions. According to the data, the following schools had repayment rates above 60% after three years:

Dillard University: 69.1%
- Institution type: 4-year private
- Net cost: $17,128
Southern University at New Orleans: 68.3%
- Institution type: 4-year public
- Net cost: $7,632
Xavier University of Louisiana: 66.4%
- Institution type: 4-year private
- Net cost: $19,715
Southern University and A&M College: 65.2%
- Institution type: 4-year public
- Net cost: $16,312
Tuskegee University: 62.2%
- Institution type: 4-year private
- Net cost: $34,575

Repayment rates among HBCUs

Rank HBCU Repayment rate Rank HBCU Repayment rate

1 Dillard University 69.1% 41 Saint Augustine's University 43.8%

2 Southern University at New Orleans 68.3% 42 Wiley College 43.7%

3 Xavier University of Louisiana 66.4% 43 Kentucky State University 43.5%

4 Southern University and A&M College 65.2% 44 Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) 43.5%

5 Tuskegee University 62.2% 45 South Carolina State University 43.3%

6 University of the Virgin Islands 59.3% 46 Alabama A&M University 42.9%

7 Lincoln University (Missouri) 59.0% 47 Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 42.9%

8 Fisk University 56.9% 48 Virginia State University 38.2%

9 Bluefield State College 56.7% 49 Fayetteville State University 37.8%

10 Southern University at Shreveport 56.5% 50 Virginia Union University 37.8%

11 Grambling State University 56.2% 51 Bennett College 37.4%

12 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 55.3% 52 Norfolk State University 37.3%

13 Alcorn State University 54.1% 53 Claflin University 37.0%

14 Hampton University 53.1% 54 Alabama State University 36.6%

15 North Carolina A&T State University 51.8% 55 Elizabeth City State University 36.4%

16 Jackson State University 51.6% 56 Morgan State University 36.0%

17 St Philip's College 51.3% 57 Stillman College 35.8%

18 Spelman College 50.8% 58 University of Maryland Eastern Shore 35.6%

19 Harris-Stowe State University 50.7% 59 Jarvis Christian College 35.5%

20 Huston-Tillotson University 50.6% 60 Texas College 33.6%

21 Tougaloo College 50.5% 61 Savannah State University 32.5%

22 Mississippi Valley State University 50.2% 62 Bethune-Cookman University 32.2%

23 Langston University 49.5% 63 Central State University 32.1%

24 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 49.5% 64 Johnson C. Smith University 31.9%

25 Prairie View A&M University 48.8% 65 Fort Valley State University 31.7%

26 Texas Southern University 48.8% 66 North Carolina Central University 31.6%

27 Tennessee State University 48.7% 67 Rust College 30.0%

28 Philander Smith College 48.6% 68 Shaw University 29.2%

29 Arkansas Baptist College 48.1% 69 Paine College 28.6%

30 University of the District of Columbia 47.3% 70 Albany State University 27.6%

31 West Virginia State University 47.2% 71 Florida Memorial University 27.0%

32 Coppin State University 46.1% 72 Edward Waters College 26.4%

33 Oakwood University 46.0% 73 Voorhees College 26.0%

34 Wilberforce University 45.9% 74 Miles College 25.8%

35 Morehouse College 45.5% 75 Livingstone College 25.6%

36 Clark Atlanta University 45.1% 76 Benedict College 24.3%

37 Delaware State University 45.1% 77 Allen University 22.9%

38 Howard University 44.8% 78 Morris College 22.0%

39 Winston-Salem State University 44.3% 79 Denmark Technical College 19.2%

40 Bowie State University 43.9% 80 Lane College 18.4%

Rank	HBCU	Repayment rate	Rank	HBCU	Repayment rate
1	Dillard University	69.1%	41	Saint Augustine's University	43.8%
2	Southern University at New Orleans	68.3%	42	Wiley College	43.7%
3	Xavier University of Louisiana	66.4%	43	Kentucky State University	43.5%
4	Southern University and A&M College	65.2%	44	Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)	43.5%
5	Tuskegee University	62.2%	45	South Carolina State University	43.3%
6	University of the Virgin Islands	59.3%	46	Alabama A&M University	42.9%
7	Lincoln University (Missouri)	59.0%	47	Cheyney University of Pennsylvania	42.9%
8	Fisk University	56.9%	48	Virginia State University	38.2%
9	Bluefield State College	56.7%	49	Fayetteville State University	37.8%
10	Southern University at Shreveport	56.5%	50	Virginia Union University	37.8%
11	Grambling State University	56.2%	51	Bennett College	37.4%
12	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff	55.3%	52	Norfolk State University	37.3%
13	Alcorn State University	54.1%	53	Claflin University	37.0%
14	Hampton University	53.1%	54	Alabama State University	36.6%
15	North Carolina A&T State University	51.8%	55	Elizabeth City State University	36.4%
16	Jackson State University	51.6%	56	Morgan State University	36.0%
17	St Philip's College	51.3%	57	Stillman College	35.8%
18	Spelman College	50.8%	58	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	35.6%
19	Harris-Stowe State University	50.7%	59	Jarvis Christian College	35.5%
20	Huston-Tillotson University	50.6%	60	Texas College	33.6%
21	Tougaloo College	50.5%	61	Savannah State University	32.5%
22	Mississippi Valley State University	50.2%	62	Bethune-Cookman University	32.2%
23	Langston University	49.5%	63	Central State University	32.1%
24	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	49.5%	64	Johnson C. Smith University	31.9%
25	Prairie View A&M University	48.8%	65	Fort Valley State University	31.7%
26	Texas Southern University	48.8%	66	North Carolina Central University	31.6%
27	Tennessee State University	48.7%	67	Rust College	30.0%
28	Philander Smith College	48.6%	68	Shaw University	29.2%
29	Arkansas Baptist College	48.1%	69	Paine College	28.6%
30	University of the District of Columbia	47.3%	70	Albany State University	27.6%
31	West Virginia State University	47.2%	71	Florida Memorial University	27.0%
32	Coppin State University	46.1%	72	Edward Waters College	26.4%
33	Oakwood University	46.0%	73	Voorhees College	26.0%
34	Wilberforce University	45.9%	74	Miles College	25.8%
35	Morehouse College	45.5%	75	Livingstone College	25.6%
36	Clark Atlanta University	45.1%	76	Benedict College	24.3%
37	Delaware State University	45.1%	77	Allen University	22.9%
38	Howard University	44.8%	78	Morris College	22.0%
39	Winston-Salem State University	44.3%	79	Denmark Technical College	19.2%
40	Bowie State University	43.9%	80	Lane College	18.4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Notes: The repayment rate is measured at three years after entering repayment. HBCUs with incomplete information were excluded.

Finding the right HBCU

Because there are various factors to consider, finding the right HBCU fit can be challenging.

“Students and their families tend to focus their attention on schools instead of themselves, even getting dreamy-eyed about particular colleges or universities, whether because of their prestigious reputations, city locations or sports teams,” Pentis says.

Instead, Pentis advises parents and students to focus on their family’s priorities. Here’s how you can approach this:

Build a list of what the student wants to get out of their HBCU college experience. This can include proximity to a support system such as family, school size or access to certain majors, classes and activities.
Once that list is complete, the student can go out and see which HBCUs are the best match for what they’re seeking. When visiting schools, they should be sure to go when school is in session to get a good impression of what day-to-day life is like as a student. The student may also want to take a tour of the campus, meet with an admissions counselor and sit in on a lecture.
Once the family has a list of HBCUs that mostly fit their criteria, it’s time to compare those schools on an apples-to-apples basis, looking at objective facts like costs and graduation rates. Ideally, the family will be left with at least a few affordable schools that are still likely to support the student from admission to graduation.

Methodology

LendingTree analysts looked at data on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to rank the most and least affordable institutions.

Researchers gathered average annual net costs to attend each school and ranked them from lowest to highest. Net cost measures the average annual total cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses, minus the average grant/scholarship aid. It’s calculated for all full-time, first-time, degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates who receive Title IV aid.

The latest available data is from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for the 2019-20 school year.