The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Best collegesHistorically Black College or University
2022 best historically black colleges and universities
HBCUs provide a supportive atmosphere for students of color, in which a greater percentage of peers and professors are likely to understand and share personality-defining cultural background and experiences. As a result, black graduation rates are much higher at HBCUs than the national average. And this isn't because students are funneled towards easier majors; HBCUs seem to do a better job in graduating students in STEM subjects, often resulting in higher employment rates, better paid jobs, and a greater percentage of students going on to complete graduate studies.
Net cost: The median annual cost of all students that receive any aid. This does not refer to the “sticker price”, the price listed by the college.
Earnings: The median earnings of all bachelor-level students 10 years after enrollment. This includes both students that do and do not graduate, across all majors.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Rankings: The ranking order is based on the economic score.The economic score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.9 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$41,157
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $3,890
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:57%
Graduation rate:55%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#2 in Historically Black College or University
Bowie State University
Bowie, Maryland
Economic score:3.24
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$49,154
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $852
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:87%
Graduation rate:53%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#3 in Historically Black College or University
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Economic score:3.76
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.2 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$53,554
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $6,445
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:95%
Graduation rate:51%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#4 in Historically Black College or University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, Florida
Economic score:3.79
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.4 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$42,521
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $4,279
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:35%
Graduation rate:57%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#5 in Historically Black College or University
Winston, Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Economic score:3.86
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3.5 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$38,584
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $4,524
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:81%
Graduation rate:60%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#6 in Historically Black College or University
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia
Economic score:5.11
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:4.6 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$52,372
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $4,356
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:57%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#7 in Historically Black College or University
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina
Economic score:5.33
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:5 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$36,546
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $2,590
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:76%
Graduation rate:54%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#8 in Historically Black College or University
Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland
Economic score:5.75
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:5.2 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$43,075
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $5,332
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:87%
Graduation rate:51%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#9 in Historically Black College or University
Howard University
Washington, District of Columbia
Economic score:6.05
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:5.8 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$56,236
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $1,338
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:35%
Graduation rate:63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#10 in Historically Black College or University
Morehouse College
Atlanta, Georgia
Economic score:6.12
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:6.2 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$51,483
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $1,373
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:65%
Graduation rate:56%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#11 in Historically Black College or University
Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia
Economic score:6.27
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:6.9 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$52,227
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $3,489
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:51%
Graduation rate:78%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#12 in Historically Black College or University
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
Economic score:7.15
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:6.1 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$38,652
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $7,560
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:80%
Graduation rate:50%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#13 in Historically Black College or University
Philander Smith College
Little Rock, Arkansas
Economic score:7.26
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:5.2 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$35,583
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $12,560
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:N/A
Graduation rate:53%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#14 in Historically Black College or University
Dillard University
New Orleans, Louisiana
Economic score:8.49
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:7.4 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$37,014
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $5,453
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:55%
Graduation rate:50%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#15 in Historically Black College or University
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama
Economic score:9.53
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:9 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$44,419
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $3,080
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:34%
Graduation rate:53%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#16 in Historically Black College or University
Claflin University
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Economic score:10.28
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:8.6 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$33,325
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $6,093
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:62%
Graduation rate:52%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#17 in Historically Black College or University
Oakwood University
Huntsville, Alabama
Economic score:13.26
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:10.1 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$37,922
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $8,704
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:72%
Graduation rate:52%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Economic score:1.93
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.4 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$35,274
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $11,338
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:77%
Graduation rate:44%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Economic score:2.53
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:2.3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$36,409
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $3,335
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:82%
Graduation rate:43%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
Coppin State University
Baltimore, Maryland
Economic score:3.17
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$41,709
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $2,461
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:48%
Graduation rate:40%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.