HBCUs can be defined as any historically black college or university established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary of Education. HBCUs provide a chance for all students, regardless of race, to develop their skills and talents. These institutions educate young people who go on to work as entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors both in the United States and abroad.
Origin of HBCUs
During the Civil War, many colleges and universities denied admission to some applicants, based on their color. As a result, many African American students did not have the same unlimited opportunities to acquire education as the other students. However, the government had to pass the second Morrill Act of 1890, mandating states to offer land grants to schools that were serving the African Americans. Going by that, the HBCUs came into existence. They offered the best education to persons of color.
What Colleges Are HBCUs?
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are higher education institutions in the United States that were founded prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the goal of serving predominantly the African-American community. The majority of these schools were created in the years following the American Civil War and are primarily located in the Southern United States. By that time, schools that meet the requirements for HBCUs must be nationally accredited and dedicated to the education of black Americans only. Today, on the contrary, schools that are considered HBCUs accept students of all races and ethnicities. Although they accept students of all colors, they provide exceptional benefits to students of African American origin. These original students enjoy a better support system than those of traditional institutions. Moreover, they enjoy a higher level of financial remuneration after graduation; even their alumni network is strong. Significantly, HBCUs provide cheaper educational facilities, making the students pay less than their counterparts in traditional colleges. As reported by the United Negro College Fund in 2014, the tuition at HBCUs was 26% less than other colleges. Equally important, 107 colleges in the US are identified by the US Department of Education as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). However, only 104 are functional. READ ALSO: HBCU Digital Media Fellowship
9 Best HBCU Colleges in Texas
There are 9 HBCU colleges in Texas, which is below 10% of the total existing number. Moreover, each school is located in the eastern half of the state. Below, we will give you an outline of the colleges that are considered HBCUs in the state and what makes them the best:
1. Prairie View AM University (PVAMU), Prairie View, TX
With an acceptance rate of 90% and undergraduate enrollment of 8 109, Prairie A&M University is the second-oldest school in Texas as well as the first state-supported HBCUs. It is famous for its penchant for quality education and has made sure the students receive the best. Popular majors in the school include nursing, food, nutrition, wellness studies, and physical education teaching and coaching. Besides, the student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1 which is low and healthy for students. More to the point, PVAMU is recognized as one of the four HBCUs named as an All-Steinway School. The graduation rate is 36% and the alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $29 800. Average tuition: $13 460 per year VISIT SCHOOL READ ALSO: 25 Free Summer Online Classes for College Students in 2022
2. Texas Southern University (TSU), Houston, TX
TSU, a predominantly black college in Texas, TSU is home to 7,092 undergraduate students and more than 1,000 faculty members. It also serves as a cultural and community center in Houston. Aside from that, the college has an acceptance rate of 91% which gives the applicants almost total opportunity for admission. In addition, popular majors at the college include banking and finance, liberal arts and humanities as well as biology. Besides, 23% of the students graduate and their entry-level salary is $24,700 per year. Average tuition: $14 540 per year VISIT SCHOOL
3. Jarvis Christian College (JCC), Hawkins, TX
This is a college located in the rural area of Texas, about 100 miles away from Dallas. It is one of the quietest places to study, going by its location, and offers easy access to more cities in the state. The college, in addition, is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ Christian Church and was modeled after the Southern Christian Institute of Edward in Mississippi. It is also known for its teacher certification programs. The acceptance rate is 14%, making it a difficult college to enroll in. Moreover, popular majors at the college are business, kinesiology, and exercise science, as well as criminal justice and safety studies. Graduating 11%, the alumni of the institution go on to earn an average of $21,100 per year at the entry level. Average tuition: $24 161 per year. VISIT SCHOOL READ ALSO: 10 Best Christian Colleges In Texas 2022
4. Wiley College, Marshall, TX
The college was established by the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1872. The original aim of founding Wiley College was to provide scholarship and service as well as deliver a faith-based liberal arts education to its students. The acceptance rate of the school is 100%, making it possible for every applicant to gain admission. With an undergraduate enrollment of 1,000, the college prides itself in its debate team which has earned it national attention when it debated with and defeated the University of Southern California in 1935. As a result of the debate, the movie The Great Debaters was borne. Not to forget, popular majors at the college are liberal arts and humanities, non-profit and public management as well as police and criminal record. With a graduation rate of 36%, the alumni of the school receive an average of $23,200 per year. Average tuition: $14 139 per year VISIT SCHOOL
5. Huston – Tillotson University (HT), Austin, TX
It is a private HBCU with a reputation for being the first institution of higher learning to call the city home. The curriculum of the school is diversified and students are mandated to take six hours of diversity-focused programs, with three of them having an African/African Diaspora focus. Huston-Tillotson University has an acceptance rate of 63% which is far above average. It also has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,112. Furthermore, popular majors in the school include business, kinesiology, exercise science as well as psychology. While 28% of the students graduate at the right time; their average entry-level salary is $27,700 per year. Average tuition: $16 044 VISIT SCHOOL
6. Southwestern Christian College (SwCC), Terrell, TX
As one of the best HBCUs in Texas, the college is focused on inspiring its students to understand the concepts of Christian Living. It was established by the members of the Churches of Christ as the Southern Bible Institute. It offers two bachelor’s degree programs on Bible and in Religious Education as well as a two-year associate degree program in liberal arts. Moreover, it just has an undergraduate enrollment of 200. With an acceptance rate of 100%, popular majors include liberal arts and humanities as well as biblical studies. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1. While 26% of the students graduate; their starting salary is on average, $15,800 per year. Average tuition: $7 928 per year VISIT SCHOOL
7. Texas College, Tyler, TX
Located 100 miles east of Dallas, Texas College is founded in 1894 by a group of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME Church). The college has an undergraduate enrollment of 1,000 and a student-faculty ratio of 25:1. It also offers 12 bachelor’s degrees in biology, business administration, computer science, mathematics, sociology, social work, religion, general studies, criminal justice, interdisciplinary studies, and music. In addition, the school has an acceptance rate of 100% and an enrollment of 891 undergraduate students. It also graduates 12% of its students who start their careers with an average of $21,500 per year. Average tuition: $14 020 per year. VISIT SCHOOL
8. St. Philip’s College, San Antonio, TX
This college is the only college in the US to be recognized as both an HBCU and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS). It operates just the same way as other HBCUs in the state and shares the same history of educating and training freed slaves. The student-faculty ratio of St. Philip’s is 15:1 with an average class of 20 students and undergraduate enrollment of 7,676. Average tuition: $4,560 per year VISIT SCHOOL
9. Paul Quinn College, Dallas, TX
As one of the best HBCUs in Texas, the college was established by a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church preachers in 1872. The aim of founding the school was to educate freed slaves and their children. It has since then continued to train its students on faith-based education. The college operates under a financial structure known as the New Urban College Model which helps the students to graduate with less than $10,000 in loan debt. While the acceptance rate at the Paul Quinn College is 79%, the undergraduate enrollment is 500. Furthermore, popular majors are liberal arts and humanities, business and criminal justice, and corrections. There is a 20% graduation rate at the college and the alumni receive an average of $24,200 per annum as their starting salary. The college is also a member of the Work College Consortium from Texas and also the first Minority Serving Institution to join the group. Average tuition: $13,951 per year VISIT SCHOOL
Conclusion
If you are planning to attend one of the best HBCUs in Texas, you can select from the above as they are the only HBCUs in the state.
References
niche.com – 2022 Best HBCU Schools in Texasblog.collegevine.com – The 9 HBCUs in Texas: Which One is Right for You?
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