Top HBCU Colleges in Georgia

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are American colleges and universities that were started before 1964 to help African-Americans.

HBCUs were created because African Americans were not allowed to attend institutions that served Caucasian students. There are 106 HBCUs in the United States, including public and private colleges.

HBCUs have a strong heritage and play a central role in the economy of their communities. They generate strong economic returns year after year.

Many HBCUs were founded after the American Civil War when black Americans were seeking higher education and were often denied admission to predominantly white colleges and universities due to segregation and discrimination.

Georgia is home to several HBCUs that have played a significant role in providing education and empowerment to Black communities in the state.

These institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, education, engineering, nursing, and social work. HBCUs in Georgia include Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse College, and Paine College. These schools have a rich history and continue to be significant sources of education and opportunity for Black students in Georgia and beyond.

Georgia has one of the most historically black colleges and universities in the United States. Only Alabama, North Carolina, and Texas have more historically black colleges and universities.

HBCUs in Georgia are often the best deal for students of African-American heritage. These institutions of higher learning offer African-Americans a great community with which to bond, low tuition rates, and some of the most exciting traditions in all of America.

Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.  

HBCUs are often the best deal for students of African-American heritage. If you’re looking to get a quality education at an affordable price, these institutions of higher learning may be the right places for you.

When applying to a historically black college or university, it is important that you research the requirements and deadlines for each school. This can be time-consuming and may require multiple applications. But now there’s an easier way: The Common Black College Application, which allows students to apply to up to 58 HBCUs with a one-time application fee of $35.

Looking for the top 4-year HBCU college in Georgia? Whether you’re trying to find the best public or private HBCU universities, best value colleges, or compare the top HBCU schools like Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, or Albany State University, we’ve got you covered. Here is our list of the 7 Best HBCU Colleges in Georgia.

Best HBCU Colleges & Universities in Georgia

1. Spelman College

Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. This school enrolls about 2,500 students every year. The school is located in Atlanta, Georgia. One of its most popular majors for undergraduates is business administration, while the most popular majors for graduate students are business administration, education, and public health. Spelman College offers undergraduate courses, master’s programs, and doctorates.

Forbes 2019 National Ranking: 468
U.S. News Ranking: #1 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,171
Net Price: $31,318
Median Starting Salary of Alumni: $49,300
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average Debt: $27,000

2. Morehouse College

Morehouse College is the only historically black college or university focusing on making men leaders. Your first step is to define yourself. Your destiny is to redefine the world. This school enrolls about 2,500 students every year. The school is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s one of the oldest historically black colleges in America and a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium. Morehouse College offers undergraduate courses, master’s programs, and doctorates. Morehouse School of Medicine enrolls about 100 students each year. The school is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s one of two medical schools that are a part of Morehouse College. Morehouse School of Medicine offers undergraduate courses, master’s programs, and doctorates.

Forbes 2019 National Ranking: 645
U.S. News Ranking: #4 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Undergraduate Enrollment: 12,206
Net Price: $48,500
Median Starting Salary of Alumni: $51,200
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average Debt: $26,000

3. Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University is a private, historically black Methodist university in Atlanta, Georgia. Explore your field of study. Clark Atlanta University offers 38 areas of study. This school enrolls about 2,500 students every year. The school is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s one of the oldest historically black colleges in America and a member of the Atlanta University Center Consortium. Clark Atlanta University offers undergraduate courses, master’s programs, and doctorates.

Forbes 2019 National Ranking: N/A
U.S. News Ranking: #13 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Undergraduate Enrollment: 29,611
Net Price: $27,004
Median Starting Salary of Alumni: $43,300
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average Debt: $31,000

4. Fort Valley State University

As a member of the Fort Valley State University family, you can learn how to be creative and a leader, grow professionally and improve your mind. FVSU has several distinguished programs to develop well-rounded students and scholars. We offer a rigorous academic program for high-achieving students. All of the initiatives create a challenging environment that leads to better opportunities at the best graduate schools and professional programs in the country. The campus’ dual-enrollment program, University Today Scholars, helps high school students earn college credit while working toward their diplomas. The Cooperative Developmental Energy Program, or CDEP, at Fort Valley State is the only program in the country that trains women and people of color to work in energy-related fields. Students in this program earn two bachelor’s degrees: one science-related, the other energy-related. The campus also maintains a host of academically challenging and leadership-building classes, including our Science, Technology, and Mathematics Program (STEM), honors courses, and ROTC. Source

Forbes 2019 National Ranking: N/A
U.S. News Ranking: #39 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (tie)

Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,359
Net Price: $13,740
Median Starting Salary of Alumni: $35,900
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average Debt: $35,980

5. Albany State University

Albany State University is a four-year institution, one of Georgia’s diverse educational gems. Committed to excellence in teaching and learning, the university prepares students to be effective contributors to a globally diverse society. Albany State University will be a world-class comprehensive HBCU college and a powerful catalyst for the economic growth and development of Southwest Georgia. ASU will be recognized for its innovative and creative delivery of excellent educational programs, broad-based community engagement and public service, and creative scholarship and applied research, all of which enrich the lives of the diverse constituencies the University serves. This school enrolls about 5,000 students each year. The school is located in Albany, Georgia. One of its most popular majors for undergraduates is health professions, while the most popular majors for graduate students are education and business administration. Albany State University offers undergraduate courses, master’s programs, and doctorates.

Forbes 2019 National Ranking: N/A
U.S. News Ranking: #45 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (tie)

Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,001
Net Price: $11,590
Median Starting Salary of Alumni: $37,200
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average Debt: $32,000

6. Savannah State University

Founded in 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest HBCU in Georgia & the oldest institution of higher learning in Savannah. SSU enrolls about 4,000 undergraduate students a year. The school is a public university located in Savannah, Georgia. It is the only HBCU in the state that offers doctoral degrees. Savannah State University offers undergraduate courses, master’s programs, and doctorates.

Forbes 2019 National Ranking: N/A
U.S. News Ranking: #51 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,895
Net Price: $10,633
Median Starting Salary of Alumni: $41,200
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average Debt: $32,000

7. Paine College

Paine College was founded in 1882 due to an unusual collaboration between black and white Methodists who believed in church-related education as a means of advancement for newly freed and underserved people. Leaders such as Bishop Lucius Holsey of the Colored (now Christian) Methodist Episcopal Church and Atticus Haygood, a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church South (now United Methodist), worked to establish The Paine Institute to train preachers and teachers to educate the newly freed men and women. In January 1884, classes began in rented quarters at 10th and Broad Streets in Augusta, Georgia. In 1903, Paine Institute was rechartered as The Paine College. The college’s tradition of excellence continues today through the present-day students who forge their way in an ever-changing, fast-paced global community. Students do things like international studies, leadership training, and scholarly activities to meet the challenge. Paine College is a historically black, private, church-related, four-year, co-ed college. The United Methodist Church supports it, and it is a historically black, private, church-related, co-ed college. Its residential, commuter, and off-site units are dedicated to intellectual pursuits and aesthetic appreciation in a global society. Paine College has taught students how to be leaders in their local, national, and international communities since it opened in 1882.

Paine enrolls about 1,500 students every year. The school is located in Augusta, Georgia. One of its most popular majors for undergraduates is business administration, while the most popular majors for graduate students are business administration and education. Paine College offers undergraduate courses, master’s programs, and doctorates.

Paine College students can engage in programs and majors offered through the college’s 2 schools, which house 6 departments. Current students collaborate with all types of people to strengthen the community. Let Paine be your “Gateway to the World.” Source

Forbes 2019 National Ranking: N/A
U.S. News Ranking: #59-76 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Undergraduate Enrollment: N/A
Net Price: $16,651
Median Starting Salary of Alumni: $32,700
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Average Debt: $35,000

Methodology

The Best HBCU Colleges rankings show the top 5-10 HBCU colleges and universities in a given state. These HBCU Colleges in Georgia have been chosen based on US News’ 2020 Best Colleges Rankings which are based on factors such as graduation and retention rates, social mobility, expert opinion, undergraduate academic reputation, student excellence, student academic experience, student selectivity, alumni giving rate, faculty resources, and financial resources. Read more about US News’ ranking methodology here.

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HBCU Colleges List