10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (2024)

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10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (1)

Historically Black Nursing Schools were predominantly established before the Civil Rights Act of 1965. The main mission behind starting these schools was to provide black students with a comfortable and secure educational environment as most other colleges before the Act prohibited or limited the attendance of black students. Today, however, diversity at any educational institution is celebrated and the same goes for the over 100 HBCUs that exist in the United States. Although the black student enrollment at HBCUs over the years has declined, its relevance continues to remain as most minority communities, particularly African Americans still feel at home when enrolled at an HBCU. Moreover, HBCUs offer affordable and quality nursing education, with some colleges even offering online programs to meet the career goals of working black students. On this page, you will learn about the 10 best HBCU Nursing Schools in the nation for 2022.


RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSING SCHOOLS
10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (2)

Ranking Methodology Behind the Best HBCU Nursing Schools

We gathered a list of all historically black colleges and universities offering nursing programs and then ranked the 10 Best in the nation based on the following five factors:

•Enrollment Rate
•Graduation Rate
•Retention Rate
•Affordability
•Reputation of the School

Known for a great value on investment, our 10 highest-ranked historically black nursing schools provide students with rigorous employable nurse training at affordable tuition costs. The data required for our rankings was gathered from IPEDs, U.S. News & World Report, Niche, Grad Reports, Rate My Professors and the official college websites.


10 Best Historically Black Nursing Schools in the Nation for the Year 2022


1.Winston-Salem State University - Winston-Salem, NC Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (3)

Winston-Salem State University is highly regarded in the nation for producing black nursing graduates who are known for earning some of the highest salaries in the state of North Carolina. The college celebrates diversity and offers its students, nursing education that is rooted in evidence-based knowledge and culture relevance. It focuses on social justice and health improvement of the underserved population through its nursing degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. To take this goal further, the college actively engages in community health programs with the help of its nationally recognized Center of Excellence that works towards reducing health disparities. As a student of nursing, this platform can prove to be a rich learning experience and an opportunity to get involved in community service.


2.Howard University - Washington, DC Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (4)

A top-ranking historically black college, Howard University is acclaimed for its nursing education that has been an offering since 1969. Nursing graduates are known for their job preparedness and evidently, so, today, they are playing impactful roles in the nursing field across the globe. Through its undergraduate, graduate and post master’s degree programs, the college aims to promote holistic nursing care. The college endeavors towards improved care of the homeless and aged by laying emphasis on these issues in its curriculum. It values diversity and therefore includes international clinical learning experiences with partner clinics in Haiti, South Africa, and Cuba, where students learn to offer culture-sensitive nursing care to a diverse population.


3.North Carolina A&T State University - Greensboro, NC Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (5)

Established way back in 1891, North Carolina A&T State University is distinguished for being the first college in the state of North Carolina for people of color. This historically black nursing school offers top-class nursing education that caters to the needs of aspiring students who are keen to join the nursing workforce, soon after graduation. You can enter its nursing program, either as a non-nursing student in the traditional BSN track or as a registered nurse, in the RN to BSN program. Alternatively, career changers can opt for an accelerated BSN track and become an entry-level nurse in a shorter period of time. Regardless of the pathway you take, the college designs its curriculum to prepare you with the skills and knowledge that are required to offer patient-centric nursing care in the ever-evolving healthcare field.


4.Bowie State University - Bowie, MD Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (6)

One of the ten oldest black universities in the nation, Bowie State University is also the oldest in Maryland. Black nursing students can feel at home with the college’s nursing education that is grounded in African American traditions. The college offers BSN and MSN degree options; the master’s comes with the Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator specialization options. On the other hand, the BSN is offered as a traditional, accelerated, and RN to BSN track. To prepare students with employable skills, the college supplements its didactic coursework with extensive experiential learning experiences at its state-of-art simulation lab and at varied reputed clinical sites, where students apply theoretical knowledge to practice.


5.Prairie View A&M University - Prairie View, TX Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (7)

Established primarily to serve the African American population, today Prairie View A&M University stands tall as the second oldest public institution in Texas for higher education. In its 100 years since inception, the college has been synonymous with transforming patient care across the nation by producing quality nurses who are committed to the improvement of healthcare. PVAMU offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in nursing. You can choose to complete the program that matches your career aspirations. The BSN is offered as a traditional track and RN to BSN & LVN to BSN bridge programs. While the MSN comes with the FNP, Nurse Education and Nurse Administration specialty options, the DNP focuses on nursing leadership, health policy development, and evidence-based nursing.


6.Southern University and A&M College-Baton Rouge, LA Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (8)

The largest HBCU nursing college in Louisiana, Southern University and A&M College is also a flagship institution of the Southern University System. What’s more, the school prides itself on the fact that it is the largest producer of African American nurses in the nation. To help its diverse student population reach their career goals, the school offers a BSN, MSN, Ph.D. and DNP degree. Depending on the program you enter, the coursework provides you with in depth-professional expertise, covering every aspect of nursing that influences patient care, be it political, social, economic, cultural or social. This well-rounded learning is supported by clinical experiences at various partner healthcare agencies. While MSN students can choose from two specialty tracks to further their career, the Ph.D. and DNP prepare you for advanced leadership and research in healthcare.


7.North Carolina Central University - Durham, NC Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (9)

North Carolina Central University is a historically black nursing college that trains students in the art and science of nursing through its undergraduate programs. If a BSN degree is what you are keen on achieving to either, enter the field of nursing or strengthen your position as a registered nurse, then the college offers a traditional and an RN to BSN pathway. Alternatively, if you have completed a four-year degree in a non-nursing field and are looking at a career switch, the ABSN track allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 to 15 months. A conducive learning environment that combines well-designed didactic coursework with experiential learning at healthcare facilities in Durham, Wake, Orange, Chatham, Person, Vance-Granville and Franklin counties, help you acquire vital skills in leadership, communication, and critical thinking.


8.Hampton University - Hampton, VA Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (10)

Hampton University school of nursing is recognized as the first HBCU nursing school in the nation to initiate a master’s and a Ph.D. degree in nursing. It trains graduates at the baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral levels, with several pathways and concentration options. Eligible students can pursue BSN as a traditional, accelerated or RN to BSN track. The master’s and doctoral tracks prepare you for advanced leadership positions in family health, nursing education and nursing research. While some programs are offered on the main campus, most courses can be taken online, allowing considerable flexibility for working students. Additionally, the college also offers a baccalaureate degree in health sciences with two concentration options in community health promotion and policy & administration, so you can opt for the track that aligns with your career goals.


9.Delaware State University - Dover, DE Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (11)

Delaware State University, a college, historically for colored students, today caters to a diverse student population. It stands out as being the only HBCU campus that follows a complete tobacco-free policy. The college offers a bachelor’s and master’s degree to aspiring patient caregivers who either, want to make an entry into this promising field or advance their nursing careers. While the BSN is an on-campus program, the MSN coursework can be taken completely online. Both programs are facilitated by an accomplished faculty that brings their years of experience to the classroom. Moreover, with undergraduate education laying the ground for entry-level nursing, you enjoy close interaction with the faculty in smart classes, where you gain valuable hands-on learning of various digital tools used in nursing.


9.Tuskegee University - Tuskegee, AL Visit Program Page

10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (12)

Tuskegee University is a historically black private school that trains graduates to be competent and compassionate caregivers. Given, the nursing school’s experience of over 118 years, its large pool of alumni is working as nurse leaders, actively serving communities across the world. Through its BSN degree in the traditional and RN to BSN pathways, the college strengthens concepts in liberal arts, humanities, sciences, and nursing. The program combines didactic nursing courses in mental health, adult health, and pediatrics, with clinical experiences at local hospitals, clinics, and community healthcare centers, where students hone clinical reasoning and communication skills. Upon graduation, you will be adept with the use of healthcare informatics and evidence-based nursing knowledge to provide nursing care for patients across the lifespan.

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  • 10 Best HBCU Nursing Schools – 2022 (2024)

    FAQs

    Which HBCU has the best nursing school? ›

    Howard University

    The College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University has the best HBCU nursing program.

    What HBCU has the highest Nclex pass rate? ›

    For example, Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina is among the top HBCUs in the United States. Their nursing program is listed as having a 97.83% NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time test-takers, which is over 5% higher than the state average of 92.6 in 2019.

    Which HBCU produces the most nurses? ›

    Southern University and A&M College's College of Nursing and Allied Health in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This HBCU is the largest producer of Black nurses in the nation.

    What is the easiest nursing school to pass? ›

    Easiest Schools with Nursing Programs
    School# of Nursing StudentsBSN NCLEX 1st Time Pass Rate
    Cox College23690%
    D'Youville College25985%
    Herzing University – Madison24853%
    The University of Texas at El Paso44598%
    30 more rows
    13 Feb 2020

    What is the 1 HBCU for nursing? ›

    Winston-Salem State University has the leading HBCU nursing program in the country. Winston-Salem State University is considered one of the best HBCU's in the U.S. compared to other schools. WSSU is a public school that is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina.

    Which school is best for nursing? ›

    Best Nursing Schools Compared
    SchoolTuitionAccelerated Options?
    Johns Hopkins University$70,794 per yearNo
    New York University$56,500 per yearYes
    University of Pennsylvania$53,166 per yearYes
    University of Michigan$17,880 per yearNo
    6 more rows
    19 Apr 2022

    What is the lowest score you can get on NCLEX to pass? ›

    The NCLEX is scored using dichotomous scoring, so you can either pass or fail the exam. Currently, to pass the NCLEX-RN, the standard is 0.00 logits–or answer questions correctly at least 50% of the time. The NCLEX-PN standard is -0.18 logits.

    What is the #1 HBCU in America? ›

    1. Spelman College. Spelman College is a private institution that was founded in 1881. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,417 (fall 2021), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 39 acres.

    What is the #1 nursing program in the US? ›

    #1: Duke University

    The school consistently ranks among the best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's top MSN and DNP programs. Indeed, DUSON was the first school in North Carolina to offer the doctor of nursing practice degree.

    What nursing school has the highest acceptance rate? ›

    Which nursing school has the highest acceptance rate? There are several nursing programs in the US with 100% acceptance rates, including the Lubbock Christian University, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

    What is the top 5 HBCU? ›

    Top 10 HBCUs: 2023
    • Spelman College, private; 100 points. ...
    • Howard University, private; 87 points. ...
    • Tuskegee University, private; 82 points. ...
    • Morehouse College, private; 75 points. ...
    • Xavier University of Louisiana, private; 73 points. ...
    • Hampton University, private; 72 points.
    12 Sept 2022

    What is the most difficult nursing? ›

    Most Stressful Nursing Positions
    • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses. ICU is an extremely high-pressure environment and these nurses work with patients who have significant injuries and disease with added morbidity risks. ...
    • Emergency Department nurses. ...
    • Neonatal ICU. ...
    • OR nursing. ...
    • Oncology Nursing. ...
    • Psychiatric Nursing.
    27 Jan 2021

    What is the fastest nurse to become? ›

    If you're itching to enter the field, the fastest way to become a nurse would be taking the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) route. While you wouldn't actually be an RN, you could complete a Practical Nursing program and be well on your way to launching a nursing career in as few as 12 months.

    What kind of nursing is easy? ›

    Nurses can work in a variety of clinics, but many consider one of the least stressful nursing jobs to be working in a generalist physician's office. Nurses who work in doctor's office—think of a pediatrician's office or family medicine—see a steady stream of patients every day.

    What is the hardest semester of nursing school? ›

    Health Assessment: the hardest semester of nursing school

    Health assessment will likely be one of the initial courses you'll take in nursing school, and it involves delving into the various body systems and learning how to assess patients from head to toe.

    What is the most important class for nursing? ›

    Biology is an essential course for all nursing students because it serves as an introduction to the foundations of human life. Biological make-up also affects how a person responds to medications or other therapy. Nurses use biology every day to identify factors that may affect the health of their patients.

    What is the most successful HBCU? ›

    Which HBCU Has the Best Business Program?
    RANKSCHOOLGRADUATION RATE
    1Howard University59.20%
    2Hampton University54.10%
    3Morehouse College51.20%
    4Bowie State University36.30%
    6 more rows
    17 Sept 2022

    What GPA is good for nursing? ›

    Most programs require at least a 2.5 GPA or higher. Some set their limit at a 3.0 GPA. This is important to find out during the research phase of your accelerated nursing program search.

    Which is harder nursing school or being a nurse? ›

    Being a Nurse is better than being in Nursing School

    In nursing school, it's about 90% theory and lectures, and 10% skills and application. In the nursing profession, it's flipped: its 90% application and 10% theory and learning. In fact, you apply theory and think critically as you're working.

    Which state is best for nursing? ›

    WHAT ARE THE BEST STATES FOR NURSES IN 2022?
    1. New York. New York has come in as #1 among the best states for nurses. ...
    2. Colorado. Colorado was the fourth state in the nation to join the Nurse Licensure Compact. ...
    3. Maryland. ...
    4. 4. California. ...
    5. Texas. ...
    6. Arizona. ...
    7. Washington. ...
    8. Georgia.

    What happens if you fail NCLEX 3 times? ›

    If they fail, they'll need to wait 45 days before retesting. After failing three times, though, they'll need to complete a board-approved remediation program before the next retake. Candidates have six attempts to pass in total.

    What are good signs you passed NCLEX? ›

    WHAT ARE THE GOOD SIGNS YOU PASSED NCLEX IN 2022?
    • You feel confident about the exam. ...
    • You answered questions during NCLEX prep that were very similar to questions on the NCLEX. ...
    • You took an NCLEX-prep class and did well in the class. ...
    • You scored well on the NCLEX Predictor Test.

    How many people pass the NCLEX on the first try? ›

    The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports 13.43% of NCLEX-RN candidates fail the exam on their first attempt. The number of unsuccessful test-takers is low compared to the more than 86% who pass the exam on their first try.

    What HBCU is called the black Harvard? ›

    Howard University is known as the Harvard of HBCUs. It has the most selective admissions standards of any HBCU and the highest endowment, valued at nearly $800 million as of 2021. It also has the highest graduation rate of all coed HBCUs.

    What were the first 3 HBCUs? ›

    That includes Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in 1854, the first HBCU granting college degrees, the Wilberforce University in 1856, the first college run by African Americans, and Harris-Stowe State University in 1857, which focused on teaching and education courses.

    What is the richest HBCU in America? ›

    • Howard University – $795,203 (11.6%)
    • Spelman College – $530,399 (40.3%)
    • Hampton University – $379,992 (35.4%)
    • Morehouse College – $278,073 (77.0%)
    • Meharry Medical College – $186,943 (19.3%)
    • North Carolina A&T State University – $157,336 (113.2%)
    • Florida A&M University – $118,635 (24.4%)
    7 Mar 2022

    How many hours a week should I study in nursing school? ›

    Everyone is different, but in general, it is recommended that nursing school students study anywhere from 2-4 hours a day. Committing class material to memory is essential to becoming a registered nurse, so the more time studying, the better! What should I know before starting nursing school?

    Is Passing nursing school Hard? ›

    Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.

    Is nursing the hardest degree? ›

    There's a rumor circulating on the internet that The Guinness Book of Work Records has declared a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing to be the toughest of all bachelor's degrees to obtain. There's no truth to this claim.

    What GPA is required for nursing in USA? ›

    Academic Requirement: A minimum cumulative of 2.0 GPA in high school levels with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in pre-requisite courses such as general chemistry, organic chemistry, anatomy, nutrition, physiology etc.

    Where is the best place to work as a nurse in USA? ›

    The Complete Ranking of the Best States to Work as a Nurse
    RankState Name
    1California
    2Washington
    3New York
    4Texas
    34 more rows

    How can I increase my chances of getting into nursing school? ›

    8 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Getting into Nursing School
    1. Write Down Your “Why” for Nursing. ...
    2. Choose a Nursing School with Multiple Start Dates. ...
    3. Ensure You Meet Admissions Requirements. ...
    4. Create a Professional Resume. ...
    5. Connect with Your Admissions Counselor. ...
    6. Start Your Prerequisites Early. ...
    7. Spend Time with Patients.
    26 Aug 2022

    Is a 3.7 nursing GPA good? ›

    GPA requirements vary from school to school, and some early admission nursing programs require an even higher GPA of at least 3.8 or higher (weighted or unweighted). In general, you can expect that any highly competitive nursing program will have a high GPA requirement for applicants.

    Do you need a high GPA for nursing? ›

    Generally, GPA requirements are different from one school to another, but on average, BSN programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0. At the same time, for an ADN program, the average GPA for admission ranges from 2.0. to 2.8.

    What HBCU is 90% white? ›

    It opened in the late 19th century as the Bluefield Colored Institute, created to educate the children of black coal miners in segregated West Virginia. Although it still receives the federal funding that comes with its designation as a historically black institution, today Bluefield State College is 90 percent white.

    What are three famous HBCUs? ›

    • View all 7 photos. Spelman College. Atlanta, GA. ...
    • View all 12 photos. Howard University. ...
    • View all 23 photos. Tuskegee University. ...
    • Morehouse College. Atlanta, GA. ...
    • View all 9 photos. Xavier University of Louisiana. ...
    • View all 21 photos. Hampton University. ...
    • Florida A&M University. Tallahassee, FL. ...
    • View 1 photo. Delaware State University.

    Which HBCU sends the most students to medical school? ›

    Xavier and Howard are the top two universities in the country when it comes to sending Black students to medical school, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

    What is the hardest HBCU college to get into? ›

    Howard University is the hardest HBCU to get into, with an acceptance rate of just 39%. If you're looking for a challenge, Howard is the school for you. Other hard-to-get-into HBCUs include Spelman College (53%), Philander Smith College (21%), and Wiley College (15%).

    What is the #1 Public HBCU in the US? ›

    FAMU maintains top-ranked public HBCU standing nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Florida A&M University is edging closer to adding another “100” to its national brand. The much-anticipated U.S. News & World Report's “Best Colleges 2023” guidebook released Monday shows FAMU ranked No.

    What HBCU has pre med? ›

    1. Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee. Meharry Medical College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Howard University College of Medicine are among the top HBCU medical schools currently in operation.

    What HBCU has the highest acceptance rate? ›

    HBCUs with high acceptance rates include Miles College, Selma University, Langston University, and Morris University. All of these schools accept 100% of their applicants. Several additional HBCUs have acceptance rates of 90% or higher.

    What is the smallest HBCU? ›

    Established in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, West Virginia State University is an HBCU and the smallest land-grant institution in the country.

    Which HBCU is the youngest? ›

    Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) is one of the youngest HBCUs in the nation, founded in 1956 as a branch of Southern University and A&M College—together, the two schools, along with Southern University at Shreveport, make up the world's only Historically Black College and University system.

    What is the least expensive HBCU? ›

    The top five most affordable public schools
    • Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina. ...
    • Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina. ...
    • University of the Virgin Islands, Virgin Islands. ...
    • Harris-Stowe State University, St. ...
    • Albany State University, Albany, Georgia.

    What is the top 10 HBCUs? ›

    The top 10 Best HBCUs (in order) are: Spelman College, Howard University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, West Virginia State University, North Carolina, A&T University, Grambling State University, Savannah State University, Southern State University and A&M College, Jackson State University and Norfolk ...

    What is the oldest HBCU? ›

    The oldest HBCU still in operation is Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837. As of 2015, St. Philip's College was the largest HBCU with 11,200 students enrolled, followed by Howard University and North Carolina A&T State University, respectively.

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