Opportunity by Design (PDF)

Two college students sit in a library and review notes together

Historical photo of many Black and brown male college students in a lecture hall

Mapping Opportunity

The Importance of HBCCs and PBCCs

Historical photo: National Archives (16-G-280-145-AAA-5078W-ALA)

Historically and predominantly Black colleges and universities are more than institutions of higher learning. They are pathways to social change, bridging opportunity gaps and driving social mobility within communities that have long faced systemic barriers to accessing higher education.

These essential institutions are categorized according to their origins and whether they are two- or four-year institutions, as described below. Although varied in their respective missions, they play vital roles within the ever-evolving higher education landscape, providing excellent and affordable educational opportunities for Black collegians.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Institutions that were established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating Black Americans.1

Map of four-year Historically Black Colleges and Universities. There are about 90 HBCUs in the south and southeast United States, with one in the United States Virgin Islands.

Across 20 states, primarily in the South and Washington, DC, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) stand as enduring pillars for Black students and their communities.

Founded in the wake of the Civil War and throughout Reconstruction, these institutions were built on a common mission: to provide education and opportunity to Black students—a purpose later reaffirmed by the Higher Education Act of 1965.

HBCUs began as catalysts for social progress, advancing Black education and fueling transformative change during the Civil Rights Movement. Today, they continue to shape lives, strengthen communities, and inspire pride, guided by a profound sense of Sawubona—a Zulu term meaning “I see you.” With this deep acknowledgment, HBCUs honor the unique potential, challenges, and aspirations of their students, serving them in ways that few other institutions are positioned to do. With a legacy deeply woven into the American story, HBCUs uphold equity, cultural pride, and a promise of opportunity that resonates across generations.

Collage with a historical photo of a happy person wearing graduation robes and a modern photo of a student writing notes

Historical photo: National Archives (H-HS-3-183)

Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs)

Two-year Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Map of two-year Historically Black Community Colleges. There are about 10 HBCCs in the south United States.

While most of the 100+ HBCUs are four-year institutions, two-year colleges were also founded to serve Black students in communities geographically distant from their four-year counterparts.

Although their official designation as community colleges may have come later, several Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs) trace their roots to the early 1900s, with all established prior to the 1965 Higher Education Act.

These vital institutions are often "hidden in plain sight" within their communities—a fact partly explained by geography. Unlike many four-year HBCUs, HBCCs were often established in southern states during the mid-1900s to provide educational opportunities for Black citizens in rural, segregated areas where access to higher education was severely limited. During the Jim Crow era, these colleges became essential centers of learning for Black communities whose members were barred from local predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and often lacked the resources to attend more distant four-year HBCUs.

Collage with a historical photo of students in an art classroom and a modern photo of an older adult student with a smiling professor

Historical photo: National Archives (H-HS-3-144)

Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs)

Accredited institutions serving at least 1,000 undergraduate students at least: (1) 50% of whom are pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree; (2) 40% of whom are Black Americans; and (3) 50% of whom are low-income or first-generation college students.2

Map of four-year Predominantly Black Institutions. There are about 20 PBIs, with the majority in the south and east United States.

Many Black Americans established roots in northern and midwestern cities after World War II, during the second phase of the Great Migration, and sought higher education in their new communities.

Colleges and universities in these regions experienced surges in Black student enrollment. Research studies show that by 1976, 55 schools in these geographic areas that were founded for general populations (not as HBCUs) had student bodies that were predominantly Black. The majority of these schools were public community colleges and they became critical access points for Black students pursuing higher education.

In 2008, Congress officially designated Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) as one of the seven types of Minority Serving Institutions.

Collage with a historical photo of a student studying and a modern photo of a faculty member speaking with a student

Historical photo: Library of Congress (LC-USF344-007931-ZB)

Predominantly Black Community Colleges (PBCCs)

Two-year Predominantly Black Institutions.

Map of two-year Predominantly Black Community Colleges. There are about 50 PBCCs in the south and east United States, with another cluster in Chicago, Illinois.

Predominantly Black Community Colleges (PBCCs) are two-year institutions that provide accessible, affordable entry points for non-traditional students, many of whom seek vocational and workforce training.

PBCC enrollment typically mirrors the demographics of their geographic region and student coursework is closely aligned with local and regional industry needs. Whether located in large metropolitan areas (e.g., Baltimore City Community College) or rural settings (e.g., Southwest Mississippi Community College), PBCCs serve student populations that reflect the part-time, working adult status common to community colleges.

The Importance of HBCCs and PBCCs

Institutions serving predominantly Black student populations, including HBCCs and PBCCs, offer exemplary models for higher education as a whole. These colleges are designed to accommodate the specific realities of their students’ lives, creating pathways for educational and career advancement that align with students’ unique needs. Their student-centered, supportive cultures foster successful outcomes for Black students and provide invaluable insights for predominantly white institutions (PWIs) striving to improve outcomes for students of color.

Yet, despite their critical role in communities and their pioneering approaches to education, HBCCs and PBCCs remain underfunded and under-resourced compared to predominantly white and four-year institutions. Beyond recognizing the valuable lessons these institutions offer, it is essential for the higher education community to advocate for the resources and support HBCCs and PBCCs need. These institutions are vital access points to affordable higher education for Black students, deserving of both acknowledgment and investment.