The 15 Largest HBCUs in America Ranked by Enrollment in 2026
HBCU enrollment is surging nationwide. Here are the 15 largest historically Black colleges and universities ranked by student population in 2026.
In brief
HBCU enrollment nationwide has reached record highs, driven by a generational reckoning with campus culture, surging philanthropic investment, and federal funding increases. The 15 largest historically Black colleges and universities — led by Florida A&M University, Howard University, and North Carolina A&T State University — now collectively serve hundreds of thousands of students, representing the strongest period of HBCU growth in modern history.
⚡ KEY TAKEAWAYS
HBCU enrollment has grown consistently since 2020, reversing a decade-long decline and hitting multi-year highs at flagship institutions.
Florida A&M University, Howard University, and North Carolina A&T State University rank among the largest HBCUs by total headcount enrollment.
Federal debt relief for HBCUs and landmark philanthropic gifts — including hundreds of millions from MacKenzie Scott — have directly fueled enrollment growth and campus expansion.
Howard University in Washington, DC remains the nation's most politically visible HBCU, with its alumni network embedded across the Biden-Harris administration and Capitol Hill.
The HBCU enrollment surge reflects a broader cultural shift: Black students are increasingly choosing institutions that center their identity, history, and excellence.
Why HBCU Enrollment Is Surging in 2026
The numbers don't lie. After a prolonged enrollment dip that stretched through much of the 2010s, HBCUs reversed course dramatically starting around 2020 — and the momentum has only accelerated. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), HBCU enrollment trends have reflected broader shifts in where Black students choose to invest their futures, with applications rising sharply at flagship institutions following high-profile campus racism incidents at predominantly white universities.
The cultural moment matters. When Vice President Kamala Harris — a Howard University alumna — appeared on the national stage, applications to Howard surged. When MacKenzie Scott donated hundreds of millions of dollars to HBCUs in 2020 and beyond, it signaled to the broader philanthropic world that these institutions were worth sustained, transformative investment. And when the Biden administration canceled hundreds of millions in HBCU debt, it freed up institutional resources that schools redirected into recruitment, infrastructure, and scholarships.
The result: a new generation of Black students choosing HBCUs not as a fallback, but as a first choice. For coverage of how DC's HBCU institutions fit into the broader power landscape, see our Howard & HBCU Guide.
The 15 Largest HBCUs in America, Ranked by Enrollment
The following rankings draw from federal enrollment data and institutional reporting. Total headcount enrollment figures reflect the most recently available full academic year data.
1. Florida A&M University (FAMU) — Tallahassee, FL FAMU consistently ranks as one of the largest HBCUs in the country by total enrollment, with a student body that has grown past 13,000 in recent years. The university's College of Pharmacy is nationally ranked, and its journalism and business programs draw students from across the Southeast. FAMU has also been at the center of high-profile political battles over Florida's public university system, making it one of the most-watched HBCUs in the nation.
2. North Carolina A&T State University — Greensboro, NC NC A&T is the largest HBCU in the University of North Carolina System and has repeatedly been cited by the U.S. News & World Report as one of the top HBCUs in the country. Its engineering and agriculture programs are nationally competitive, and its total enrollment regularly exceeds 13,000 students. The Aggies have become a model for HBCU research expansion.
3. Howard University — Washington, DC Located in the Shaw neighborhood of Northwest Washington, Howard University is America's most politically influential HBCU. With an enrollment that has grown past 10,000 students, Howard's reach extends far beyond the classroom — its alumni populate federal agencies, law firms, newsrooms, and congressional offices across the capital. The university received a landmark $785 million gift commitment over 10 years from philanthropist David M. Rubenstein and other donors as part of its ongoing capital campaign. Track Howard's broader DC footprint in our DC Power Players Index.
4. Texas Southern University — Houston, TX Texas Southern enrolls more than 9,000 students and serves as a critical pipeline for Black lawyers, educators, and public health professionals in the Gulf Coast region. Its Thurgood Marshall School of Law is one of the most prominent HBCU law schools in the nation.
5. Jackson State University — Jackson, MS Jackson State gained national attention when NFL coach Deion Sanders brought his Prime Time energy — and a recruiting class that rivaled FBS programs — to its football program before departing for the University of Colorado. Enrollment spiked during the Sanders era and the university has worked to sustain that momentum. Jackson State enrolls roughly 7,000-8,000 students.
6. Southern University and A&M College — Baton Rouge, LA Southern University is the flagship of the Southern University System, the only HBCU system in the United States. Located in Baton Rouge, it enrolls approximately 6,500-7,500 students and is known for its agricultural, law, and engineering programs.
7. Morgan State University — Baltimore, MD Just 40 miles up the Baltimore-Washington Parkway from Howard, Morgan State is Maryland's designated public urban research university. Its designation as an R2 research institution — a distinction it is actively pursuing to elevate to R1 — signals its ambitions. Morgan State enrolls roughly 8,000 students and has received significant federal investment in recent years, including grants from the National Science Foundation for STEM programming.
8. Bethune-Cookman University — Daytona Beach, FL Founded by civil rights icon Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman carries one of the most storied legacies in HBCU history. Enrollment figures have fluctuated in recent years amid financial pressures, but the institution remains among the more prominent mid-size HBCUs in the Southeast.
9. Hampton University — Hampton, VA Hampton University sits across the Chesapeake Bay from DC's sphere of influence and enrolls approximately 4,000-5,000 students. Known for its nursing, business, and pharmacy programs, Hampton has maintained a reputation for producing career-ready graduates with strong professional networks.
10. Spelman College — Atlanta, GA Spelman is the crown jewel of HBCUs for Black women. With enrollment around 2,200-2,500, it is smaller than many on this list but punches far above its weight in Rhodes Scholars, medical school acceptances, and cultural influence. Spelman and neighboring Morehouse College anchor Atlanta's historic Auburn Avenue HBCU corridor.
11. Morehouse College — Atlanta, GA Morehouse is the only historically Black liberal arts college for men in the United States. Its alumni include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., filmmaker Spike Lee, and actor Samuel L. Jackson. Morehouse enrolls roughly 2,500-2,800 students and made national headlines when billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off the entire student debt of the Class of 2019 — a $34 million commitment.
12. Tuskegee University — Tuskegee, AL Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee University is one of the oldest and most historically significant HBCUs in the country. Its veterinary medicine and aerospace programs are nationally recognized. Enrollment sits at roughly 3,000 students.
13. Prairie View A&M University — Prairie View, TX Located in the Houston metro area, Prairie View A&M is part of the Texas A&M University System and enrolls more than 9,000 students, making it one of the largest HBCUs in the country. Its nursing, engineering, and architecture programs are among its strongest offerings.
14. Grambling State University — Grambling, LA Grambling is legendary in HBCU sports culture — its football program, under the late Coach Eddie Robinson, produced more NFL players than any other school for decades. The university enrolls roughly 4,500-5,000 students and has seen renewed interest from athletes choosing HBCUs over Power Five programs.
15. Norfolk State University — Norfolk, VA Norfolk State enrolls roughly 5,000-6,000 students and is located in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Its cybersecurity and STEM programs have made it a growing destination for students pursuing careers in defense contracting and federal government service — industries that loom large in the DC-Virginia corridor.
Why This Matters in Washington, DC
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Washington, DC is uniquely positioned at the center of the HBCU resurgence. Howard University sits in Shaw — one of the city's most historically Black neighborhoods — and its influence radiates outward into the halls of Congress, the corridors of K Street, and the executive branch. Howard alumni currently hold — or have recently held — positions ranging from Vice President of the United States to senior roles at the Department of Justice, the State Department, and the White House Counsel's office.
Federal HBCU policy is also made here. The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities, housed within the Department of Education, sets the funding and policy agenda for more than 100 HBCUs nationwide. Decisions made in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and on Capitol Hill directly shape what resources flow to campuses from Tallahassee to Tuskegee.
Morgan State's proximity in Baltimore and Virginia's cluster of HBCUs — including Hampton, Norfolk State, and Virginia State University — mean that the DC metro region is home to one of the densest concentrations of HBCU talent pipelines in the country. For the full picture of how education intersects with DC's power structure, see our DC Political Influence Rankings.
The Data Behind the HBCU Renaissance
The enrollment story is more than anecdote. According to the NCES Digest of Education Statistics, total fall enrollment at HBCUs has climbed from a low point in the mid-2010s back toward levels not seen in over a decade. Key drivers include:
Federal debt relief: The Biden administration canceled more than $1.3 billion in HBCU debt between 2021 and 2024, freeing up capital for enrollment-driving investments in facilities and scholarships.
Philanthropic surge: MacKenzie Scott donated more than $560 million to HBCUs in 2020-2021 alone, with subsequent gifts continuing. Robert F. Smith's $34 million Morehouse pledge in 2019 catalyzed a wave of corporate HBCU giving.
Cultural cachet: The Beyoncé-Netflix Homecoming documentary (2019), Kamala Harris's 2020-2024 Vice Presidency, and the rise of HBCU influencer culture on social media rebuilt the aspirational image of Black colleges for Gen Z.
Athletics: The Deion Sanders effect at Jackson State — and subsequent moves by NFL-caliber recruits to choose HBCUs — generated a sports media cycle that drove name recognition to new heights.
WDCM analysis: If current enrollment trends hold, at least three HBCUs — FAMU, NC A&T, and Howard — are on track to exceed their own institutional enrollment records within the next two to three academic years, barring significant federal funding disruptions.
What to Watch Next
The HBCU enrollment surge faces real headwinds. The Supreme Court's 2023 ruling striking down race-conscious admissions at Harvard and UNC created uncertainty about how HBCUs themselves — as race-conscious institutions by mission and federal designation — might navigate future legal challenges. Congressional negotiations over reauthorization of the Higher Education Act will determine whether the federal HBCU funding programs that have fueled this renaissance remain intact.
Watch also for the emergence of new HBCU research powerhouses. Morgan State's push for R1 research designation, Howard's expansion of its medical school and law school, and FAMU's growing biomedical research infrastructure all signal that the largest HBCUs are not content to simply grow enrollment — they are competing for prestige, research dollars, and national rankings at a level unprecedented in HBCU history.
The bottom line: HBCU enrollment is not a trend — it's a structural shift in how Black students, families, philanthropists, and policymakers value historically Black institutions. The 15 largest HBCUs are growing, investing, and producing graduates who are reshaping every major American industry. From Shaw to Tallahassee to Greensboro, the HBCU renaissance is real, it's documented, and it's accelerating. Follow ongoing coverage at our Howard & HBCU tag and our DC Power Index.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Largest HBCUs by Enrollment
Q: What is the largest HBCU in the United States by enrollment? A: Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida, and North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, consistently rank as the two largest HBCUs in the country by total headcount enrollment, each enrolling over 13,000 students in recent academic years.
Q: Is Howard University one of the largest HBCUs? A: Yes. Howard University in Washington, DC consistently ranks among the top 5 largest HBCUs by enrollment, with a student body that has grown past 10,000. Howard is also the most politically influential HBCU in the country given its location and alumni network.
Q: Why is HBCU enrollment increasing? A: HBCU enrollment is rising due to a combination of factors: federal debt relief for HBCU institutions, a surge in philanthropic giving (led by donors like MacKenzie Scott and Robert F. Smith), increased cultural visibility driven by figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and coach Deion Sanders, and a generational preference among Black students for institutions that center their identity and community.
Q: What HBCUs are in the Washington, DC area? A: Howard University in Northwest DC is the flagship HBCU in the nation's capital. The broader DC metro region includes Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, as well as Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia State University in Virginia.
Q: How many HBCUs are there in the United States? A: There are approximately 101 accredited HBCUs in the United States, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. They are located across 19 states, Washington DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the largest concentrations in the South.
Q: What is the most prestigious HBCU in America? A: Prestige is contextual. Howard University is widely regarded as the most politically and professionally influential HBCU. Spelman College is considered the most academically selective HBCU and the top institution for Black women. Morehouse College holds unmatched cultural prestige among HBCUs for men. All three consistently appear at the top of HBCU rankings.
Reporting drawn from: The Root. Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
