Large, public schools are supported by the state and its budget. Students at these schools typically acquire a bachelor's degree; many four-year schools also will offer graduate degrees in select subjects. A select sampling of four-year public black colleges includes Alabama A&M University, University of the District of Columbia, Albany State University in Georgia, Bowie State University in Maryland and Jackson State University in Mississippi.
Private colleges rely on foundation funds, donations and tuition. These private schools are similar to public ones, though some are affiliated with certain groups like religious groups. However, private schools offer four-year degrees, and at times graduate degrees, just as public schools do. Select four-year private black colleges include Jarvis Christian College in Texas, Wilberforce University in Ohio, Livingstone College in North Carolina and Dillard University of Louisiana.
Two-year schools run the same way as four-year colleges do, but don't offer bachelor degrees. Instead, students at two-year schools earn an associate's degree in their chosen field. Students can easily transfer from a two-year school to a four-year school to earn a bachelor's degree if desired. A sample of two-year public black colleges and universities includes Bishop State Community College in Alabama, Southern University at Shreveport in Louisiana, Coahoma Community College in Mississippi and Denmark Technical College in South Carolina.
Two-year private schools are similar to public schools, but again rely on funds from donations and tuition as opposed to their respective state's budget. Two-year private black colleges are the Lewis College of Business in Michigan, Shorter College in Arkansas and Clinton Junior College in South Carolina.