A HBCU reference page
HBCU
Statistics
A clear snapshot of historically Black colleges and universities, with each figure linked to its federal source.
At a glance
The numbers behind a lasting legacy.
HBCUs are distinct institutions with histories, communities, and missions of their own. These figures offer a grounded starting point for writers, students, families, alumni, and anyone looking to understand their national reach.
99
HBCUs
There were 99 historically Black colleges and universities in 2022.
Source: NCES Fast Facts, 2022 ↗21
Places represented
Those institutions were located across 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Source: NCES Fast Facts, 2022 ↗50 / 49
Public / private nonprofit
The 2022 HBCU total included 50 public institutions and 49 private nonprofit institutions.
Source: NCES Fast Facts, 2022 ↗289,426
Students enrolled
Fall 2022 enrollment across degree-granting HBCUs totaled 289,426 students.
Source: NCES Digest, fall 2022 ↗244,309
Black students enrolled
The federal table reports 244,309 Black students enrolled at degree-granting HBCUs in fall 2022.
Source: NCES Digest, fall 2022 ↗32,842
Bachelor's degrees
Degree-granting HBCUs awarded 32,842 bachelor's degrees in the 2021-22 academic year.
Source: NCES Digest, 2021-22 ↗10,639
Graduate degrees
HBCUs awarded 7,598 master's degrees and 3,041 doctor's degrees in the 2021-22 academic year.
Source: NCES Digest, 2021-22 ↗$9.90B
Total expenditures
Degree-granting HBCUs reported $9.897 billion in total expenditures for the 2021-22 academic year.
Source: NCES Digest, 2021-22 ↗Reading the figures
What this page measures.
The institution count, geography, and public-private split come from the National Center for Education Statistics HBCU Fast Facts page. Enrollment, degree, and spending figures come from the NCES Digest of Education Statistics table on degree-granting HBCUs.
Federal reporting periods differ by measure, so this page names the year beside every figure. It uses the latest comparable data currently published in those federal references and will be refreshed when a newer release changes the picture.
Sources and citation
Built to be shared with care.
National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Facts: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, figures for 2022.
National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, Table 313.10, enrollment for fall 2022 and degree and spending data for 2021-22.
My Paraphernalia Closet. “HBCU Statistics.” Updated September 21, 2026. https://myparaphernaliacloset.com/hbcu-statistics/
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