Are you curious about Black Ivy League Schools? This article will tell you everything you need to know about them and give you a detailed list of schools that make up the Black Ivy League.
In the past, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were established to make quality higher education available to African Americans. Historically, HBCUs only admitted Black students; however, today, they accept anyone regardless of race.
There are over 100 HBCUs in America. From those 100 HBCUs, a select few are considered the Black Ivy League. This article will cover various Black Ivy League schools and what you need to know about them.
Black Ivy League schools are the most prestigious historically black colleges and universities in the United States. They attract high-achieving and performing African American students. Despite its name, the Black Ivy League is not a part of the U.S.'s top eight Ivy League schools.
Despite their competitive nature, these institutions aren't formally recognized as "Black Ivy League schools." Also, there is no official list of colleges and universities.
Below we will go over 10 Black Ivy League schools that you might be interested in.
Black Ivy League schools are the most prestigious historically black colleges and universities in the United States. They attract high-achieving and performing African American students. Despite its name, the Black Ivy League is not a part of the U.S.'s top eight Ivy League schools.
Despite their competitive nature, these institutions aren't formally recognized as "Black Ivy League schools." Also, there is no official list of colleges and universities.
Below we will go over 10 Black Ivy League schools that you might be interested in.
Down below, we’ll be going over a list of Black Ivy League schools from highest ranked to lowest ranked.
Spelman College is in Atlanta, Georgia, and was founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary. It later became a college in 1924 and is the leading college for African American women. Spelman College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Spelman College is ranked #1 in historically black colleges and universities in the U.S., and the top Black Ivy League school. They only accept admissions from female applicants. They offer 31 majors, 35 undergraduate degrees, and 18 fields of study. Their most popular majors are Biological and Biomedical Sciences, English, Physical Science, Psychology, and Social Sciences.
Spelman College has a competitive admission rate of 53%. They have accepted students with an SAT score of between 1050 and 1200 or an ACT score of 20 and 25. The admission requirements include:
Tuition at Spelman College is $44,551 for an on-campus student. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Howard University is in Washington, D.C., and was founded in 1867. It's ranked the second-best HBCU in the country and is considered a Black Ivy League school. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. They also have the most African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the U.S.
Howard University is a leader in STEM fields, with students later earning science and engineering doctoral degrees. They offer over 140 areas of study within 13 colleges and universities.
Howard University has a very competitive acceptance rate of 35%. Students graduating in 2025 had an average SAT score of 1184 and an ACT of 24. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Howard University is $46,930 for an on-campus student. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Hampton University is in Virginia and was founded in 1868 during the American Civil War. It is ranked #4 for best HBCU in the country, and a Black Ivy League school. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Hampton University offers over 70 bachelor’s degrees and has 3,000 students in various fields like Liberal Arts, Science, Business, and Engineering.
Hampton University has a very competitive acceptance rate of 36%. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Hampton University is $29.162 for all students. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Morehouse College is in Atlanta, Georgia, and was founded in 1867. In 2022, it was ranked #128 for Best Colleges for National Liberal Arts Colleges and #4 for the best HBCU in the country.
It is also considered a Black Ivy League school. Morehouse College only accepts male applicants and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Morehouse is the only four-year liberal arts institution with a predominately black male student population. Morehouse College has an academic partnership with Clark Atlanta University, and Spelman College.
Morehouse College has an acceptance rate of 58%. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Morehouse College is $25,386 for all students. Morehouse College has a National Fellowships and Awards Committee to help students apply for scholarships and fellowships.
Tuskegee University is in Tuskegee, Alabama, and was founded in 1881. It is ranked #4 the best HBCU in the country, and is a Black Ivy League school. Students can join more than 100 groups and organizations on campus.
Tuskegee University was the first to create a nursing baccalaureate program in Alabama. It is also the top producer of African American aerospace science engineers and engineering graduates in chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
Tuskegee University has an acceptance rate of 61%. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Tuskegee University is $19,594 for all students. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Fisk University is in Nashville, Tennessee, and was founded in 1866. It is ranked the #9 best HBCU in the country. They are a university rooted in the liberal arts and believe in advancing knowledge through it. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
In 2004, Fisk and Vanderbilt's Universities started the Fisk-Vanderbilt bridge program to help underrepresented groups access Doctorate programs in the STEM fields. NASA, NSF CAREER, and IGERT funded it. Since starting in 2004, the program has grown.
Fisk University has an acceptance rate of 66.5%. Applicants accepted to Fisk University have had an SAT score between 990 and 1210 or an ACT score of 20 and 26. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Fisk University is $22,132 for all students. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Morgan State University is in Baltimore, Maryland and was founded in 1867. It is ranked the #12 best HBCU in the country. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Morgan State University is one of the few HBCUs that offer a wide variety of academic programs. They offer programs in business, engineering, education, and social work. This university is one of the most popular schools for international students in the U.S., with most coming from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria.
Morgan State University has an acceptance rate of 73%. Applicants accepted to Morgan State University have had an SAT score between 920 and 1070 or an ACT score of 16 and 20. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Morgan State University is $8,008 for in-state students. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Dillard University is in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was founded in 1869. It is ranked #14 in the best HBCUs in the U.S. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Academic Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Dillard University has an acceptance rate of 65%. Applicants accepted to Dillard University have had an SAT score between 950 and 1110 or an ACT score of 18 and 22. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Dillard University is $18,280 for students. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, and was founded in 1837. It is the oldest HBCU in the country and a Black Ivy League school. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Accreditation Commission for Programs in the Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania admission requirements are:
Tuition at Cheyney University is $10,904 for in-state students. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible.
Lincoln University is in Chester Country, Pennsylvania, founded in 1854. It is ranked #24 for best HBCUs in the U.S. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), American Chemical Society (ACS), and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Lincoln University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Applicants accepted to Lincoln University have had an SAT score between 860 and 1028 or an ACT score of 15 and 18. The admission requirements for this school include:
Tuition at Lincoln University is $12,362 for students. They do offer financial aid for those who are eligible. FAQs: Black Ivy League
It's normal to feel overwhelmed and confused when choosing the right Black Ivy League school for you. If you still feel that way after reading this article, hopefully, these frequently asked questions can help you.
There are, in fact, Black Ivy League colleges. They are Spelman College and Morehouse College.
Yes, Howard University is a Black Ivy League school. It is also the second most prestigious Black Ivy League school in the U.S.
There is no official list of schools considered Black Ivy League schools because these institutions aren't formally recognized as "Black Ivy League schools.” However, some schools are often considered a part of that unofficial list. They are:
As of 2022, Spelman University is the most prestigious HBCU in the U.S., followed by Howard University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Hampton University.
Black Ivy League schools offer significant opportunities for African American and non-African American students. Finding the right school might be overwhelming. However, this guide can help you make the right decision.