A publication about building what we can own — and pass on.
BBLACKONOMICS.NETINDEPENDENTLY OWNED

Education directory

HBCU information

Learn about historically Black colleges and universities. Find official college directories, scholarship resources, student aid, and accreditation information.

Sources checked October 6, 2026

Part 1What are HBCUs?

HBCU stands for Historically Black College or University. These institutions have a historic mission of educating Black Americans and remain important places for higher education, professional preparation, and community connections.

The federal definition in the Higher Education Act refers to institutions established before 1964 whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and which are accredited or making reasonable progress toward accreditation through a recognized accrediting agency.

An HBCU designation is not the same as being a predominantly Black institution today. Confirm a school's designation and current accreditation rather than inferring them from its name, student population, or membership in an organization.

Part 2Find a school that fits your goals

Compare available programs in business, accounting, finance, education, technology, and other fields with the skills you want to develop. Check the school's own curriculum, admissions requirements, campus or online format, and student support.

HBCUs include public and private institutions and offer different levels of study. Not every school has an online business degree, MBA, or certificate, and a college directory is not confirmation that a particular program is currently offered.

College Navigator has a Historically Black College or University search option. UNCF and Thurgood Marshall College Fund directories are helpful member-school lists, not a complete national roster of every HBCU.

Part 3Compare costs, aid, and recognition

Compare the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, books, housing, travel, and technology. Ask about net cost after grants and scholarships, not only the published tuition. Loans must generally be repaid; a scholarship application is not a guaranteed award.

Check scholarship eligibility, required enrollment status, citizenship or residency conditions, deadlines, and renewal rules. Federal student aid has its own eligibility requirements; submitting the FAFSA does not guarantee an award.

Verify institutional accreditation and any program-specific accreditation or licensing requirements relevant to your career. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes accrediting agencies; it does not itself accredit colleges. Credit transfer and recognition outside the United States are not automatic.

Official resources

  • About HBCUs

    Source: U.S. Department of Education

    Official federal HBCU information

    Read the federal definition of an HBCU and learn about the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

    • This is background and policy information, not a student application, scholarship award, or guarantee of a school's current program availability.
    Open U.S. Department of Education (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

  • Find colleges

    Source: National Center for Education Statistics

    College Navigator — search for HBCUs

    Search U.S. colleges and compare institutional information, programs, tuition, and financial aid. Use the Historically Black College or University option in the additional search options.

    • Check the institution's own website for current programs, admissions, and costs. Published federal data may describe an earlier reporting period.
    Open National Center for Education Statistics (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

  • Find colleges

    Source: UNCF

    UNCF member HBCUs

    Browse the HBCUs in UNCF's member network, with school profiles and locations.

    • This is a member-school directory, not a complete list of all HBCUs. Verify current admission and program information directly with each college.
    Open UNCF (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

  • Find colleges

    Source: Thurgood Marshall College Fund

    Thurgood Marshall College Fund member schools

    Explore the TMCF member-school network and its links to individual institutions.

    • The network includes HBCUs and other institutions; membership is not itself proof of federal HBCU designation. This is not a complete national HBCU roster.
    Open Thurgood Marshall College Fund (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

  • Scholarships and aid

    Source: UNCF

    UNCF scholarships and student opportunities

    Find scholarship, internship, and fellowship information, with links to UNCF's application portal.

    • Each opportunity has its own school, enrollment, eligibility, application, and deadline requirements. Funding is not guaranteed; apply through the provider, not Blackonomics.
    Open UNCF (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

  • Scholarships and aid

    Source: Thurgood Marshall College Fund

    TMCF scholarship application portal

    Access the official TMCF scholarship portal to review and apply for eligible opportunities.

    • The provider requires its own account. Confirm current awards, supported schools, deadlines, and eligibility before applying. Blackonomics does not collect application information or promise funding.
    Open Thurgood Marshall College Fund (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

  • Scholarships and aid

    Source: Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education

    FAFSA — Federal Student Aid

    Use the official Free Application for Federal Student Aid to be considered for eligible federal, state, and school aid.

    • The FAFSA is free. Confirm the appropriate academic year, federal eligibility, and school and state deadlines. Aid may include loans as well as grants; an application is not a guaranteed award.
    Open Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

  • Verify accreditation

    Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education

    Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs

    Review accreditation information reported by recognized accrediting and state approval agencies for U.S. institutions and programs.

    • The Department of Education does not itself accredit institutions. Check the accreditor and college for current status; database inclusion is not an endorsement or a guarantee of admission, credit transfer, or professional licensing.
    Open U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education (opens a Blackonomics summary first)

Also exploring online business study?

See free courses, certificates and degrees from other providers in the Blackonomics Education Portal.

Blackonomics Education Portal

Blackonomics does not award degrees, enroll students, collect applications, or guarantee admission, funding or recognition. Confirm details directly with each school and official source. See the disclaimer.