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Choosing an HBCU: Questions to Ask and How to Decide

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are colleges founded before 1964 whose principal mission was educating Black Americans. Today they range from small private colleges to large public universities and enroll students of every background. Choosing one, or comparing an HBCU with a predominantly white institution (PWI), comes down to the same questions as any college: community and fit, programs, support and net cost.

What students should know about HBCUs

  • HBCU is a federal designation. It is defined in federal law, which ties it to a school’s founding mission and history, not its current enrollment.
  • They vary widely. HBCUs include public and private, two-year and four-year, rural and urban, research-focused and teaching-focused schools.
  • Students of every background attend. Students of any race or ethnicity can apply, and admission standards vary by school as at any college.
  • Culture is a draw for many students. Families often mention a sense of belonging, strong traditions and an alumni network.
  • They are in many states, with the largest number in the South and Mid-Atlantic, so location and distance from home vary a lot.
  • Many students apply to both. HBCUs and PWIs can sit on the same college list. See how to build a college list.

PWI is an informal term for a college where most students are white. It is not an official category, and campuses described that way differ a great deal in culture and support.

How to compare fit, programs and cost

Fit and community

  • How it feels to be on campus as yourself, in class and outside it.
  • Size, setting and distance from home.
  • Student organizations, traditions and campus life.
  • Support for students like you, including first-generation college students.

Programs and outcomes

  • Whether your likely major is offered, plus a backup major. See how to choose a major.
  • Class sizes, advising and access to faculty.
  • Internship, research and job placement support. Ask each school what its graduates go on to do.
  • Graduation and retention data, which the federal government publishes for most colleges.

Cost and aid

  • Run every school’s net price calculator. Sticker price and actual cost can differ a lot.
  • File the FAFSA early. See the FAFSA timeline.
  • Ask about institutional scholarships and outside scholarships aimed at HBCU students.
  • Compare final offers line by line, including loans. See how to compare financial aid offers.

Questions to ask on a visit

Our college visits guide covers planning. At an HBCU or any college, these questions get past the tour script:

  1. What do first-year students find hardest, and what support is there for that?
  2. How do students get advising, and how often do they meet an advisor?
  3. How easy is it to get the courses I need to graduate on time?
  4. What internships, research and employers do students in my major connect with?
  5. What does housing look like, and is it available after the first year?
  6. What scholarships are available after the first year, and what keeps them?
  7. What do students do on weekends, and how involved are alumni?
  8. Ask a current student: why did you choose this school, and would you choose it again?

Making the final decision

  • Revisit your top three priorities and score each school against them.
  • Visit admitted student events if you can, or talk with current students virtually.
  • Involve family in the cost conversation early.
  • Read our guide to choosing a college after acceptances.
  • Remember that a strong first year depends on habits as much as the school. Our guide to how college differs from high school helps students prepare.

Where a mentor helps

A mentor is not an admissions counselor and does not choose schools. A mentor helps a student clarify what matters to them, prepare questions for visits and the school counselor, keep applications and aid forms on schedule, and then plan for a strong first year once they decide. Learn more about college transition mentoring.

Related

Common questions

What is the difference between an HBCU and a PWI?

An HBCU is a federally designated college founded before 1964 with a mission of educating Black Americans. PWI is an informal term for a college where most students are white.

Can non-Black students attend an HBCU?

Yes. HBCUs admit students of all backgrounds, and many enroll students of many races and ethnicities.

Are HBCUs more affordable?

It depends on the school and your aid. Compare net prices and actual offers rather than assumptions.

Should I apply to both HBCUs and PWIs?

Many students do. Applying to a mix keeps options open so you can compare fit and cost side by side in the spring.

Get started

Want help comparing colleges and planning next steps? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.

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