How to Choose a College: Historically Black Colleges

A 2007 study at Virginia Tech University found that black men who graduate from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) achieve higher lifetime earnings than black men who go to traditional four-year colleges and universities. Besides beefing up your future salary, attending a historically black college can give you the once-in-a-lifetime chance to study with a tight-knit group of students and professors dedicated to helping the black community. Here are the ins and outs of attending an HBCU.

What Are Historically Black Colleges?

There are important differences between "predominantly black schools," "institutions with a plurality of black students," and "historically black colleges." Predominantly black colleges have a student body that is over fifty percent African-American. And schools with a plurality of black students host many African-American students, but black students are not the majority.

On the other hand, historically black colleges are colleges and universities founded before 1964 with the explicit purpose of serving the African-American population. You can find HBCUs in twenty states, as well as in the Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. To match the varying needs of different students, diverse types of HBCUs exist, including public, private, urban, rural, large, and small colleges.

Why Pick a Historically Black College?

While both historically black colleges and traditional institutions offer top-notch opportunities for African-American students, HBCUs may offer you unique rewards, including:

• A lower dropout rate: the Wall Street Journal reports that HBCUs do a better job of retaining students than traditional colleges.
• Diminished race-based admissions: during the admissions process, HBCUs may focus less on fulfilling diversity goals and more on admitting bright, well-rounded scholars.
• Smaller student bodies: since fewer students tend to enroll at HBCUs than many major universities, you can form closer bonds with your professors and classmates.

Visit a Few Black Colleges Before Choosing One

Whether you hope to attend an HBCU or a traditional college, try to make personal visits before choosing a college. During your stay, you should explore each college's cafeteria, dorms, sports facilities, and classrooms. Also, make sure to ask current students how they feel about the school's environment, community, and scholarly opportunities.

Sources:
Virginia Tech: "Two University Economists Chart the Advantages of Historically Black Colleges and Universities"
Wall Street Journal Online: "Separation Anxiety"