Forbes released its first-ever rankings of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, publishing separate top-10 lists for private and public institutions. Howard University ranks No. 1 among private HBCUs, and North Carolina A&T State University tops the public list. The rankings focus on student outcomes and return on investment, using measures such as graduation and retention rates, alumni earnings, and student debt. Forbes also factors in the success of Pell Grant recipients.
Forbes' First HBCU Rankings: Howard Tops Private List, North Carolina A&T Leads Public Institutions
Forbes has published its inaugural rankings of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), releasing separate top-10 lists for private and public institutions. The ranking evaluates schools primarily on student outcomes and return on investment.
Top Winners
Howard University is ranked No. 1 among private HBCUs, while North Carolina A&T State University leads the public HBCU list. The separate lists reflect Forbes' decision to evaluate private and public institutions on their own terms rather than provide a single combined ranking.
How Forbes Evaluated Schools
According to reports summarizing Forbes' methodology, the rankings emphasize measurable student outcomes and long-term value. Key factors include graduation and retention rates, alumni earnings, and student debt levels. The methodology also gives additional weight to the outcomes of students who receive federal Pell Grants, highlighting institutions that support lower-income students' success.
Full Top-10 Lists from Forbes
Private HBCUs — Top 10
- Howard University
- Spelman College
- Morehouse College
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Hampton University
- Tuskegee University
- Fisk University
- Talladega College
- Clark Atlanta University
- Tougaloo College
Public HBCUs — Top 10
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Florida A&M University
- Prairie View A&M University
- Morgan State University
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Tennessee State University
- Bowie State University
- Winston-Salem State University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Delaware State University
Why This Matters
The rankings offer prospective students, families, and policymakers a data-driven view of which HBCUs are delivering strong outcomes and value. By separating private and public institutions, Forbes aims to account for structural differences between colleges while spotlighting those that best support student success, including learners from lower-income backgrounds.
Reporting on the rankings was widely circulated across outlets, including coverage by ClutchPoints summarizing Forbes' first-ever HBCU lists.
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