They say college is the best time of your life– especially if you’re a Black student at a historically Black college or university (HBCU). Known for being some of the most prestigious institutions in the country, HBCUs defy any limits to Black scholarship, and more importantly, they create a safe space for Black students
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But here’s the problem: Most Black students don’t even know they exist, according to a recent report from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
We all know HBCUs were created out of necessity. Black students made their own lane after being denied entry into other — white — education spaces. Fast forward to 2026, and the attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Affirmative Action and the lingering impact of George Floyd’s 2020 murder have all sharpened the focus on Black colleges. Still, much of the Black youth is unaware of the real impact of HBCUs. And this spells trouble for all of us.
UNCF found over 60 percent of students “were either not at all familiar or a little familiar with HBCUs,” according to their survey. They attributed the lack of HBCU exposure to teachers and college counselors, who haven’t presented Black colleges as alternatives to predominantly white institutions (PWIs).
“The pivotal role of K-12 schools in shaping students’ college aspirations and preparedness cannot be overstated,” Dr. Meredith B.L. Anderson, the co-author and director, K-12 Research, Advocacy, told UNCF. “Teachers and school counselors carry considerable influence in guiding students through the college application process.”
When asked how often school counselors suggested an HBCU, 53 percent of students said it never happened, according to the report. Given there are over 100 HBCUs in the country — most of which are located in the South — this raises alarm…especially considering the millions of Black youth who live in states where Black schools aren’t nearby.
For example: a high schooler living in Alabama — the state with the most HBCUs — is more likely to be familiar with HBCUs like Alabama A&M University, Tuskegee University or Stillman College when compared to a New York City senior living in a state where there are zero options.
Students without HBCU exposure are more likely to attend a white institution or skip college altogether. Meanwhile, HBCU students are flourishing mentally at higher rates than their non-HBCU peers, according to a separate study conducted by UNCF. And during a time where racial tension continues to burden the entire nation, experts say this is when HBCUs are needed the most in the Black community.
“As the society becomes more anti-Black in its expression, we see students seeking out HBCUs as communities where they will feel affirmed, included and not have to deal with a lot of unnecessary distractions that are rooted in their identity as Black students,” Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, the former president of Spelman College in Atlanta, told The Guardian last year. “As people are talking about eliminating historical references in museums, for example, all of that fuels interest on the part of Black students in HBCUs because they know that’s a place where their history is not being erased.”
It’s true that in times of need, Black students flock to HBCUs, but that’s only if they know they exist. According to research funded by Rutgers University, there’s typically a rise in HBCU enrollment following high levels of hate crimes or any racial injustice. This includes 2025, when HBCUs reported significant enrollment increases, despite college enrollment being down at PWIs nationally.
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