Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, Bennett College enrolls 714 full-time students and 66 part-time students. Bennett College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, The College Fund (UNCF) and the Women's College Coalition. Students can earn undergraduate degrees in several fields, including electrical engineering, biology, computer science, elementary education, English and Africana Women's Studies, among other programs. Bennett College features 61 full-time faculty--59 percent of whom hold terminal degrees in their academic fields--and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Students can receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, work study and loans.
The only other active African American women's college in the nation, Spelman College, was founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. The college enrolls more than 2,000 students from across the nation and 15 foreign countries. The student faculty ratio is 12:1 and 85 percent of faculty have doctorate degrees. Students can receive financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work study.
Although there are only two colleges serving a predominantly African American female student population, you have the option of attending a co-ed historically black institution.
Hampton University in Virginia offers students undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and is considered one of the best historically black college in the world.
Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University offers students undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Howard is well known for its graduate programs in pharmacy, law, medicine, dentistry and divinity.
Xavier University of Louisiana is known for producing the biggest number of African-American students earning degrees in biological/life science and physical science. Additionally, the school's College of Pharmacy is one of two pharmacy schools in the state of Louisiana.
Whether you choose to attend a historically black women's college, a similar co-ed institution, or any other academic institution, you should take several factors into account before making a final decision. Consider where you would like to attend school, the academic programs at the campus you are considering and the cost of attending the school. Be aware that tuition at private schools tend to be higher than those of public institutions, although private schools are often better about granting scholarships. Consider whether you will attend as an undergraduate or graduate student, and whether the school offers graduate level degrees.