Are there many HBCU that offer online programs?

Are there many HBCU that offer online programs?

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Yes, there are many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that offer online programs in order to accommodate their students. HBCUs have offered quality educational experiences to members of black communities ever since the end of the Civil War, allowing students to avoid the discrimination that has taken place in many areas of academia. In the 21st century, HBCUs have increasingly offered online programs that accommodate fully employed students as they work towards their degree. Advantages to earning your degree online include:

  • Asynchronous class schedules, which allow students to watch lectures and complete assignments whenever it is most convenient for them
  • Location independence, as many online programs are completed entirely online and do not require students to visit campus
  • Financial flexibility, because online students will not have to pay for room and board or other fees that come with living on campus—all costs go directly to tuition

If you have decided you want to enroll in an online program that is offered by an HBCU, the next step will be to find the best program that meets your academic and professional expectations. If you are interested in a career in business, there are some great HBCU business schools you can check out. There are many great HBCU online degree programs to choose from. In order to rank the best online HBCU programs we used the following methodology:


  • 50% Educational Quality, based on a formula that accounts for Return on Investment (ROI), accreditation, and graduate employment
  • Program Flexibility, which takes into account the number of online programs, asynchronous class scheduling, and online academic support

There are many HBCUs that rank highly according to our methodology. Some of the top online HBCU programs include:

  • North Carolina A&T State University: Coming in at number one on our list, North Carolina A&T is currently the largest HBCU in the nation, with an enrollment of 11,877. The school offers a number of online undergraduate degrees including a BS in Business Education, BS in Environmental Health and Safety, and a BA in Liberal Studies with a Concentration in African American Studies, as well as a variety of graduate degrees, all of which are available with asynchronous class schedules.
  • Tougaloo College: Established in 1869, Tougaloo has offered quality educational curriculum in Madison County, Mississippi, with an intimate 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a total enrollment of only 809 students. Tougaloo offers a variety of great online courses, some of their most popular are Introduction to Microsoft Excel, Accounting Fundamentals, and Project Management Fundamentals.
  • Howard University: Established in 1867, Howard University has become one of the most recognizable HBCUs in the nation. As a top research university with high levels of academic research, Howard offers some of the best online science programs in the nation, including their online Executive MBA degree, which is one of the highest regarded MBA programs, regardless of format.

If one or more of the schools has piqued your interest, be sure to request more information by visiting the school’s website.