Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are experiencing a national resurgence, with many schools reporting record or near-record enrollment in recent years alongside increased federal investment and philanthropic support. The growth points to a renewed interest in Black schools for their cultural legacy, academic opportunity and student support systems. But we can’t ignore the elephant in the room…
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The growth trend is uneven. Some campuses continue to face declining enrollment pressures tied to affordability concerns, shifting demographics and broader competition in higher education. That’s all on top of political backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and historic uncertainty surrounding funding streams. But in the face of it all, these HBCUs have managed to enroll historic numbers of Black students. Now, we’re giving them their flowers!
Norfolk State University
Located in Virginia, Norfolk State University is one of five HBCUs in the area. In the 2024 school year, the university reported 6,053 total enrollment, with over 5,000 undergraduate students. The school offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across disciplines such as business, education, engineering, and the sciences…