In the United States, Historically Black Colleges And Universities (HBCU) (a type of minority-serving institution or MSI) are colleges or universities that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the African American community. Prior to 1964, African-Americans were almost always excluded from higher education opportunities at the predominantly white colleges and universities—with some exceptions.

There are over 100 historically black colleges in the United States, located almost exclusively in the southern and eastern states. There is one in the US Virgin Islands.

According to the White House Initiative on HBCUs, 14 percent of all African American students in higher education attend a historically black institution. Today, historically black colleges are not necessarily predominantly black.

Choosing which college to attend is usually a difficult decision for anyone to make, but when an African-American student is considering attending a historically black college or university (HBCU), a whole other set of family and cultural issues are raised.

There are many valid reasons that favor one or the other. Some are obvious differences. Parents and their children have to be honest with themselves and take a long, hard look at the needs of the student and how the college or university will meet those expectations. Whether or are Caucasian or African American, here some things to consider when selecting a college:

Your College and Career Path:

Look at the reasons why you want a degree and what you want to achieve with it. Is the choice to attend an HBCU yours or you family’s? Do you have a particular field of study you want to pursue? Sometimes students can get so caught up in applying to a particular institution, they don’t realize it doesn’t even offer their major.

How will this campus fit my plans for the future?

There’s no substitute for doing your homework about the campuses you’re seriously considering. Know the reputation of those campuses in the community and among employers and the general population. Find out about graduation, student retention, and placement rates.

Does this campus have the facilities and living conditions that suit my comfort level?

Finding a campus where you’re comfortable is a big factor in choosing a college. What do you want in campus facilities and living conditions? For instance, if you currently attend a small private high school in a suburban setting, perhaps you wouldn’t like living on a large urban campus with peers who don’t mirror your kind of background.

What level of support will I get on campus?

Students considering institutions where few people are like them should look at the available support systems and organizations that will be available to them. Parents need to feel comfortable with a contact person on campus.

When all the factors that determine the choice of a college are laid out, the bottom line is which institution best meets your needs for now and the future.

For some African-American students, an HBCU is the best choice. For others, it’s not. For those non African-American students looking to work in an African-American community, attending a HBCU may enlighten you and help you in achieve your career goals.

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