Forbes Names Howard, NC A&T Top HBCUs in New 20-School Ranking

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 1

20 HBCUs made Forbes’ first ranking devoted exclusively to the sector, with Howard University leading private schools and North Carolina A&T State University topping public institutions.
Forbes based the list on student outcomes and return on investment—graduation and retention rates, alumni earnings, student debt and results for Pell Grant recipients—rather than selectivity or institutional wealth.
69% of Howard students graduate within six years and 90% are retained, while its graduates earn median pay of $70,600 early career and $123,200 mid-career; NC A&T posted a 55% graduation rate and $116,300 median mid-career pay.
76% was the highest graduation rate in the ranking, posted by Spelman, while Morehouse led the top private schools in mid-career earnings at $126,700.
56% of HBCU students received Pell Grants in 2023-24 versus 32% of all undergraduates, a gap that helps explain why Forbes said many HBCUs fare worse in traditional rankings despite their outsized role in producing Black professionals.