by Sue Naylor

There are over 100 HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) where over 370,000 black students study with larger groups of non-black students. This network of integrated schools provides black students a safe and secure learning atmosphere.

At the bottom of the list of the top 10 black colleges is North Carolina Central University, which is the only public college that has made it to the list. With over 100 undergraduate and 40 graduate programs of study, NCCU appeals to all students. Dillard University in New Orleans offers more than 35 majors and has a reputed nursing school. It is famous for the Institute of Jazz Culture that was established in 2002. Claflin University is a ‘Very Selective HBCU’ and is a South Carolina based liberal arts college. Tuskegee University has a strong agricultural tradition as was designated by Congress as a national historic site. Hampton University offers 68 undergraduate programs, 27 masters programs, 6 doctoral programs and 2 specialist degrees in education. Among the top 5 black colleges, at number 5 is Xavier University of Louisiana, which is the only black Roman Catholic university in the United States and has one of two pharmacy schools in Louisiana.

Fisk University at Tennessee was give tier 1 status in the 2008 ranking by the U.S. News & World Report. It is renowned for its Jubilee Singers choir. Morehouse College is a part of the Atlanta University Center and is an all-male liberal arts college. Howard University or ‘Black Harvard’ with ‘Spelman College’ tops the list of black colleges.