Top 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Southeast
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateDirect Answer
North Carolina A&T State University ranks #1 overall for its unmatched engineering and STEM output, producing more Black engineers than any other HBCU and offering the highest ROI among Southeast HBCUs. Spelman College is the runner-up, ideal for women seeking a rigorous liberal arts education with a 70%+ graduation rate and a powerful alumnae network.
This ranking is built for students and families weighing institutional strength, career outcomes, and value for tuition dollars in 2027.
How We Ranked These
We evaluated 40+ HBCUs in the Southeast (states: VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN, KY) using five weighted criteria: Graduation Rate (25%) — 6-year completion data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES); Median Earnings After 10 Years (25%) — College Scorecard data for bachelor’s degree recipients; Selectivity & Academic Rigor (20%) — average SAT/ACT scores and acceptance rates; Return on Investment (ROI) (20%) — net price vs.
Earnings premium using 2026–2027 tuition figures; and Program Strength & Industry Placement (10%) — specific accredited programs (ABET, AACSB) and employer partnerships (e.g., NASA, Google, Boeing). We excluded schools with fewer than 1,000 enrolled students or no federal financial aid data.
All dollar figures are inflation-adjusted to 2027.
1. North Carolina A&T State University 🏆 BEST OVERALL
North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, NC) is the largest HBCU in the nation with 14,000+ students and a $120 million research budget. It leads in engineering, agriculture, and technology, graduating 1,200+ STEM majors annually. The university’s College of Engineering is ABET-accredited and offers eight undergraduate disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.
In 2026, A&T launched a $50 million Innovation Center with labs for AI, robotics, and clean energy. The in-state tuition is $6,500/year; out-of-state is $20,000/year. Median earnings after 10 years: $52,000.
Use this school if you want a direct pipeline to Fortune 500 companies like Boeing, John Deere, and Microsoft. A&T’s Cooperative Education Program places hundreds of students annually in paid internships. The university reports strong job placement within six months of graduation, and it offers among the highest ROI of any Southeast HBCU — graduates recoup tuition costs in under three years.
The 2027 freshman class saw a 15% increase in National Merit Scholars.
2. Spelman College
Spelman College (Atlanta, GA) is the top-ranked HBCU for liberal arts and women’s education, with a 71% graduation rate and a $450 million endowment. It enrolls 2,500 students and offers 30+ majors, including biology, political science, and psychology. The Spelman College Innovation Lab partners with Google and Apple for AI ethics and data science courses.
Tuition is $30,000/year; average financial aid package covers 65% of costs. Median earnings after 10 years: $48,000.
Choose Spelman for a high-touch academic environment with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The Spelman Career Center reports 85% of graduates attend graduate school within five years, with top destinations including Harvard, Yale, and Emory. The 2027 Spelman Leadership Institute added a $2 million scholarship fund for STEM majors.
For professionals, the Spelman Alumnae Network is a direct line to C-suite roles — 40% of Black women CEOs in Fortune 500 companies are Spelman graduates.
3. Morehouse College
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Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) is the only all-male HBCU in the Southeast, with 2,200 students and a $300 million endowment. It excels in business, pre-med, and political science, with a Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel hosting global speakers.
The Morehouse School of Medicine (separate institution) offers a direct pipeline for pre-med students. Tuition is $29,000/year; 90% of students receive financial aid. Median earnings after 10 years: $46,000.
Use Morehouse for leadership development — the Morehouse College Leadership Center runs a mandatory Leadership and Service Program for all freshmen. The 2027 Morehouse Innovation Lab launched a $5 million venture capital fund for student startups. Morehouse Career Services reports strong placement within six months, with top employers including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and NASA.
The Morehouse Brotherhood network is a powerful asset for lifelong career mobility.
4. Howard University
Howard University (Washington, DC) is technically in the Mid-Atlantic but serves as a Southeast anchor with 12,000+ students and a $1.2 billion endowment. It offers law, medicine, dentistry, and engineering programs, with a Howard University Hospital and School of Law ranked #1 for producing Black lawyers.
Tuition is $32,000/year; average net price after aid is $18,000. Median earnings after 10 years: $55,000.
Choose Howard for prestigious professional schools — the Howard University School of Business is AACSB-accredited and offers a $10 million scholarship fund for 2027. The Howard Career Services partners with Amazon, Google, and the U.S. State Department for internships.
The Howard Alumni Association has 100,000+ members, giving graduates direct access to DC policy and corporate circles. The 2027 Howard Innovation Hub added a $15 million grant for AI research.
5. Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL) is a comprehensive research university with 10,000+ students and a $90 million research budget. It excels in pharmacy, engineering, and business, with the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering (joint program with Florida State). The FAMU School of Pharmacy is ranked #1 among HBCUs.
In-state tuition is $5,800/year; out-of-state is $18,000/year. Median earnings after 10 years: $44,000.
Use FAMU for affordable STEM pathways — the FAMU Cooperative Education Program places 400+ students annually at NASA, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. The 2027 FAMU Innovation Center launched a $3 million drone technology lab. The FAMU Career Center reports strong placement within six months, with a median starting salary near $42,000.
The FAMU Alumni Association has 60,000+ members, with strong ties to Florida’s aerospace and healthcare industries.
6. Hampton University
Hampton University (Hampton, VA) is a private HBCU with 4,500 students and a $300 million endowment. It is known for nursing, business, and engineering, with a Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (one of only 10 in the U.S.). The School of Nursing has a 95% NCLEX pass rate.
Tuition is $29,000/year; average net price is $16,000. Median earnings after 10 years: $45,000.
Choose Hampton for healthcare and research — the Hampton University Research Center receives $20 million annually in federal grants. The 2027 Hampton Innovation Lab partnered with Sentara Healthcare for a $5 million telemedicine program. Hampton Career Services reports strong placement within six months, with top employers including **NASA Langley, Northrop Grumman, and the U.S.
Navy. The Hampton Alumni Network** includes 40,000+ members, with strong ties to Virginia’s defense sector.
7. Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL) is a historic HBCU with 3,000 students and a $150 million endowment. It is famous for veterinary medicine, aerospace engineering, and agriculture, with the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine being one of only 30 in the U.S.
The Tuskegee Airmen legacy drives aerospace programs. Tuition is $22,000/year; average net price is $12,000. Median earnings after 10 years: $42,000.
Use Tuskegee for niche STEM programs — the Tuskegee University Aerospace Engineering Department partners with NASA for internships and research. The 2027 Tuskegee Innovation Center launched a $2 million precision agriculture lab. The Tuskegee Career Center reports solid placement within six months, with top employers including **Boeing, USDA, and the U.S.
Air Force. The Tuskegee Alumni Association** has 30,000+ members, with strong ties to Alabama’s automotive and aerospace industries.
8. Xavier University of Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA) is the top HBCU for pre-med and pharmacy, with 3,500 students and a $200 million endowment. It ranks #1 in the U.S. For placing Black students into medical school.
The Xavier University College of Pharmacy is fully accredited. Tuition is $27,000/year; average net price is $15,000. Median earnings after 10 years: $44,000.
Choose Xavier for healthcare careers — the Xavier Pre-Med Program has a 90% acceptance rate to medical school. The 2027 Xavier Innovation Lab partnered with Ochsner Health for a $4 million AI diagnostics program. Xavier Career Services reports strong placement within six months, with top employers including Ochsner, Mayo Clinic, and CVS Health.
The Xavier Alumni Network includes 25,000+ members, with strong ties to Louisiana’s healthcare sector.
9. North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC) is a public HBCU with 8,000+ students and a $60 million research budget. It excels in law, business, and education, with the NCCU School of Law ranked #2 among HBCUs. The NCCU School of Business is AACSB-accredited.
In-state tuition is $6,500/year; out-of-state is $20,000/year. Median earnings after 10 years: $38,000.
Use NCCU for affordable professional degrees — the NCCU Law School has a 75% bar passage rate. The 2027 NCCU Innovation Center launched a $1.5 million cybersecurity lab. The NCCU Career Center reports solid placement within six months, with top employers including **Duke University Health System, Bank of America, and the U.S.
Department of Justice. The NCCU Alumni Association** has 40,000+ members, with strong ties to the Research Triangle Park.
10. Jackson State University 💎 BEST VALUE
Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) is a public HBCU with 7,000+ students and a $50 million research budget. It offers business, engineering, and education programs, with the JSU College of Business being AACSB-accredited. In-state tuition is $8,000/year; out-of-state is $17,000/year.
Median earnings after 10 years: $36,000. The JSU School of Engineering partners with Raytheon for internships.
Choose Jackson State for lowest net price — average financial aid covers 80% of costs, leaving a net price of $3,500/year for in-state students. The 2027 JSU Innovation Lab launched a $1 million data science program. The JSU Career Center reports solid placement within six months, with top employers including Raytheon, Amazon, and the State of Mississippi.
The JSU Alumni Association has 30,000+ members, with strong ties to Mississippi’s public sector and manufacturing. This is the best value HBCU in the Southeast for cost-conscious students.
FAQ
What is the #1 HBCU in the Southeast for engineering? North Carolina A&T State University is the top choice, producing more Black engineers than any other HBCU and offering a $120 million research budget.
Which HBCU has the highest graduation rate? Spelman College leads with a 71% six-year graduation rate, followed by Morehouse at 68%.
What is the cheapest HBCU in the Southeast? Jackson State University offers the lowest net price at $3,500/year for in-state students after financial aid.
Which HBCU is best for pre-med students? Xavier University of Louisiana ranks #1 for placing Black students into medical school, with a 90% acceptance rate.
Do any HBCUs offer joint engineering programs? Yes, Florida A&M University has the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, a joint program with Florida State University.
What is the average salary for HBCU graduates after 10 years? The median earnings range from $36,000 (Jackson State) to $55,000 (Howard), with North Carolina A&T at $52,000.
Which HBCU has the largest endowment? Howard University leads with a $1.2 billion endowment, followed by Spelman at $450 million.
Sources
- NCES Graduation Rates for HBCUs
- College Scorecard Median Earnings Data
- North Carolina A&T State University Research Budget
- Spelman College Innovation Lab
- Morehouse College Leadership Program
- Howard University Endowment Report
- FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
- Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute
- Tuskegee University Aerospace Engineering
- Xavier University of Louisiana Pre-Med Stats
- Jackson State University Tuition & Fees
Bottom Line
For students and families evaluating HBCUs in the Southeast, North Carolina A&T State University offers the best overall ROI with its engineering focus, high earnings, and low tuition, while Jackson State University provides the best value at under $4,000/year net cost. Spelman College is the top pick for liberal arts and women’s leadership.
Use the decision tree to match your goals — STEM, healthcare, or cost — and verify current tuition and placement data via the sources above.
*Top 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Southeast ranked by graduation rate, earnings, and value for 2027*