The (historically) all-women's college is regularly among the top-100 liberal arts schools in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings. The college is part of the Atlanta University Center, the largest consortium of black universities in the country, that includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College and the Morehouse School of Medicine.
Spelman College
350 Spelman Lane Southwest
Atlanta, GA 30314-4399
404-525-6401
spelman.edu
Howard, located in Washington D.C., has historically been among the top HBCUs, even garnering the nickname, "black Harvard." It is also the only research-oriented black university in the nation. The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is regarded as one of the world's largest repositories of historical and cultural documents from people of African descent worldwide, according to the center's website.
Howard University
2400 Sixth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20059
202-806-6100
howard.edu
Morehouse, an all-male liberal arts college, is also part of the Atlanta University Center, with its sister school Spelman. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson all graduated from Morehouse. The school's ideology is encapsulated by the "Five Wells" mantra: "Morehouse Men are Renaissance Men with a social conscience and global perspective who are: Well-Read, Well-Spoken, Well-Traveled, Well-Dressed and Well-Balanced."
Morehouse College
833 Fair Street Southwest
Atlanta, GA 30314-3764
404-525-1125
morehouse.edu
The Tennessee university was elevated to the first tier in U.S. News & World Report in its 2008 rankings. Fisk alumni include W.E.B. Du Bois and Nikki Giovanni. The university is also home to the famous Jubilee Singers choir.
Fisk University
1000 17th Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37208
615-329-8500
fisk.edu
Xavier is the only black Roman Catholic university in the country that has been a leader in pre-medical education amongst HBCUs. Xavier boasts one of only two pharmacy schools in Louisiana. Today, 30 percent of the student population is non-black.
Xavier University of Louisiana
1 Drexel Drive
New Orleans, LA 70125
504-486-7411
xula.edu
Hampton students can earn degrees in 68 undergraduate programs, 27 master's programs, six doctoral programs and two specialist in education degrees, according to the school's website. Originally known as the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, the school was founded in 1868.
Hampton University
100 E. Queen St.
Hampton, VA 23668
757-727-5000
hampton.edu
Tuskegee is also the first university to be designated a national historic site by Congress, according to the Think HBCU website. Writers Ralph Ellison and Robert Beck (aka Iceberg Slim) and singer Lionel Richie all attended Tuskegee. The university, where George Washington Carver once taught, has a strong agricultural tradition.
Tuskegee University
1200 W. Montgomery Rd.
Tuskegee Inst, AL 36088
334-727-8011
tuskegee.edu
Claflin is a liberal arts college in South Carolina that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
The school, designated a "Very Selective HBCU," was ranked second Best Value among Southern colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
Claflin University
400 Magnolia Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115
803-535-5000
claflin.edu
Dillard is a private liberal arts institution in New Orleans with a highly regarded nursing school. The university offers more than 35 majors. The university's Institute of Jazz Culture was founded in 2002 to celebrate New Orleans' jazz heritage.
Dillard University
2601 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans, Louisiana 70122
504-283-8822
dillard.edu
NCCU offers more than 100 undergraduate fields of study and about 40 graduate programs. The school boasts world-class research facilities including a state-of-the-art biotechnology research center and a Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) Center for Excellence, according to NCCU's website.
North Carolina Central University
1801 Fayetteville St
Durham, NC 27707-3129
919-560-6100
nccu.edu