Enrollment and existential crisis: A recent report by Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Alarm bells ringing for America’s colleges. By 2029, more than 80 colleges could close due to demographic changes, financial pressures, and declining perceptions of the value of higher education.
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), along with women’s colleges, stand disproportionately vulnerable to this impending wave of closures. Many HBCUs operate with small endowments, narrow applicant pools, and little state or federal support, making their survival an increasingly uphill battle.
While urban institutions benefit from geographic advantages that attract students, HBCUs face a unique dilemma: enrollment trends, financial inequity, and decades of systemic underfunding have created a perfect storm. But why are HBCUs at such risk, and how did we get here? To understand their struggles, we must first understand what HBCUs are, where they came from, and how they have evolved over time.
What exactly are HBCUs?
The United States Congress officially defines HBCUs as accredited institutions of higher education established before 1964 with the primary mission of educating black students. These colleges have their roots in the post-Civil War era, when educational opportunities for black Americans were virtually non-existent.
While a handful of HBCUs, such as Cheney University in Pennsylvania, were founded before the Civil War, most emerged between 1867 and 1900, providing education to newly freed enslaved people and other marginalized black Americans.
Today, HBCUs represent a diverse range of public and private institutions. In 2022, there were 99 HBCUs in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center, split almost evenly between public (50) and private (49) schools. Report. Many of these institutions focus on awarding bachelor’s degrees, although many also offer graduate programs. Geographically, HBCUs are primarily located in the South—a legacy of their historic role in the region’s education system.
Alabama leads with 13 HBCUs, followed by North Carolina (10), Georgia, and Texas. Yet their reach extends beyond the South, to institutions such as Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and University of the Virgin Islands.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. Despite their historical importance, enrollment trends and uneven funding challenges continue to threaten the existence of HBCUs.
Enrollment Trends: Growth, Decline, and the Changing Student Body
According to Pew Research According to the report, at its peak in 2010, HBCUs enrolled more than 326,000 students, reflecting a steady growth trend since 1976. Yet by 2022, enrollment had dropped to less than 290,000—a nearly 11% decline. Although today’s statistics indicate a 30% increase over 1976 levels, the trends reveal a significant change: HBCCUs are enrolling fewer black students as the broader higher education landscape evolves.
Why? The share of black students attending HBCUs has steadily declined since desegregation opened the door to predominantly white institutions. In 1976, 85% of HBCU students were black; By 2022, that number had dropped to 76%. At the same time, enrollment among non-black students at HBCCUs increased by 117% over the same period, reflecting the diversification of the student body.
Meanwhile, black enrollment in colleges nationwide skyrocketed by 125% between 1976 and 2022, outpacing the 63% increase seen in students of other races. The result? Black students now make up about 13% of all college students—roughly identical to their share of the United States population.
This dual trend of HBCU diversity and increased competition for black students has squeezed enrollment. As fewer students choose HBCUs, the financial pressure becomes more severe.
The financial reality of HBCUs: Underfunded and overlooked
Most HBCCUs, whether public or private, face serious financial challenges based on historical inequities. Public HBCUs, for example, have long been underfunded compared to their predominantly white counterparts. A 2023 analysis by the U.S. Department of Education and Agriculture found that between 1987 and 2020, black land-grant institutions were underfunded by $12.6 billion.
Take Tennessee State University (TSU) for example. It is a public land-grant HBCU founded in the 19th century. Between 1987 and 2020, T.S.U The University of Tennessee received $1.9 billion less in state funding than its predominantly white counterpart.
Similar disparities exist elsewhere. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T)—the nation’s largest HBCU—is underfunded by $2.8 billion over the same period.
Underfunding is cyclical: White institutions benefit from decades of generous state funding, enabling advanced research facilities and large endowments. In contrast, HBCUs struggle to secure basic resources, let alone compete as research powerhouses. For example, NC State University received an additional $79 million for research in 2020, while NC A&T received only $9.5 million.
A stark divide in endowments and alumni support
Funding inequality does not end with state allocations. HBCUs also contend with smaller endowments, which depend largely on alumni donations. In 2020, the average endowment at white land-grant universities was $1.9 billion, compared to just $34 million at black land-grant schools. Georgia’s Fort Valley State University had just $6.6 million, dwarfed by the University of Georgia’s $1.3 billion.
Smaller endowments mean less funding for scholarships, faculty, facilities and research—all critical components for attracting students and remaining competitive. HBCUs are already grappling with declining enrollment, with limited financial resources increasing the risk of closure.
What does the future hold for HBCUs?
The challenges facing HBCUs are undeniable, but their legacy of resilience cannot be overlooked. These institutions have produced some of the most influential leaders in black history, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Kamala Harris. They continue to serve as cultural, educational, and economic pillars in their communities.
But can HBCUs survive without meaningful policy changes and increased investment? Will the government address decades of economic inequality? Or will we see a wave of closures that threaten to wipe out this vital part of America’s educational fabric?
The answer depends on whether the nation prioritizes and preserves these historic institutions. For HBCUs, the time for meaningful support is now—before it’s too late.