Many HBCUs See a Surge In Enrollments

Many of the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities had a record number of applicants this past admissions cycle. And many HBCUs have reported a significant increase in enrollments this fall. Undoubtedly, the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2023 to outlaw race-sensitive admissions at colleges and universities played a major role in producing large numbers of Black applicants for places at HBCUs. Recent multi-million dollar gifts to some HBCUs have strengthened their academic programs, which also may have played a role in producing more interest in attending HBCUs among Black students. Finally, campus unrest at large numbers of high-ranking, predominantely White colleges and universities last spring may have led the nation’s most academically talented Black students to look elsewhere for their higher education. Here is a summary of enrollment trends at some of the nation’s HBCUs. For the second year in a row, Alabama A&M University has shattered its first-time student enrollment record. Over 2,000 first-time students enrolled this fall. Last year, AAMU reported an enrollment of 6,633 students – the largest in its history. This fall, an estimated 7,000 students have enrolled. Alabama State University reported that first-time, new student enrollment — which includes freshmen, transfers, and first-year graduate...