Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have a long history of delivering unique and culturally sensitive educational experiences. They also play an important role in helping make psychology a more diverse field.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 83% of the U.S. psychology workforce self-identified as white in 2019. However, a diversity push from within the field appears to be making progress. Underrepresented ethnic and racial groups represented 45% of psychology bachelor's graduates from the class of 2022.
HBCUs account for almost one-tenth of all college enrollment among Black students in the United States. They can be a great place for learners to start their search for on-campus and online bachelor's programs in psychology.
Psychology Degree and HBCU Highlights
Psychology is a versatile field with solid career potential: The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that psychology had an 81.6% career outcomes rate for 2023 graduates of bachelor's programs.
HBCUs awarded nearly 33,000 bachelor's degrees in 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
In 2020, the average tuition and fees for a psychology degree at an HBCU were 12% lower than those for non-HBCUs, according to 2020 data from the NCES.
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5 Best HBCUs for Psychology
Why You Should Get a Psychology Degree
Pursue Various Careers: Psychology majors can pursue diverse careers in counseling, psychology, business management, marketing, human resources, social work, and research.
Build a Foundation: If you plan to pursue higher-level studies or advanced careers in psychology, an in-field bachelor's degree is a key stepping stone.
Set Up Future Success: In BestColleges' 2024 Online Education Trends Report, 92% of online psychology, education, and social sciences students and graduates said they believed earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
Benefits of Attending an HBCU
Specialized Environment: HBCUs can provide safe, supportive, and culturally responsive learning environments designed to help you succeed. "HBCUs are the only institutions where Black students will interact with a majority Black faculty, staff, and administrators," says Pamela "Safisha Nzingha" Hill, Ph.D., an Africana scholar and HBCU alum.
Cost Savings: HBCUs boast a lower average net price compared to non-HBCUs, according to 2020 data from the NCES.
Social Impact: "Students who attend HBCUs feel a sense of pride and determination, which continues beyond graduation," says Hill. "HBCU alumni return in strong numbers each year to their institutions' homecomings."
"HBCUs are nurturing, caring, and loving. Students who attend develop lifelong friendships and tend to stay connected with faculty and staff."
―Pamela Hill, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Wiley University and HBCU Alum
How to Choose the Best HBCU Psychology Program for You
When seeking the best HBCU for psychology, you'll want to consider the same set of factors you'd look at for any other college.
How Much Does a Psychology Degree Cost at an HBCU?
Cost of Psychology Degree at HBCU, 2019-20
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$14,452
Avg. Net Price
$7,375
In 2020, the average HBCU psychology undergraduate spent just over $14,000 on tuition and fees, according to the NCES. With financial aid, however, this cost is nearly cut in half.
Overall, studying psychology at an HBCU is slightly more affordable than at a non-HBCU. According to the NCES, average tuition costs for psychology majors at HBCUs were 12% lower than that for non-HBCUs in 2019-20.
Fortunately, HBCUs offer many options for financial aid, often including scholarships for Black students, which can significantly reduce your cost of attendance.
Find Financial Aid for Your HBCU Psychology Degree
How Long Does It Take to Get a Psychology Degree?
Typical # of Credits
120 Credits
Typical Program Length
4 Years
The best HBCUs for psychology typically require about four academic years of full-time study to earn a bachelor's degree. This generally means earning 120 credits.
You can reduce this timeline by transferring in college credits. For instance, North Carolina Central University's psychology program only requires you to complete 30 credits at the school, meaning you could transfer in up to 75% of your total credit requirements.
Online learning can also support efficiency by making it easier to balance school with other commitments. As an example, Claflin University offers a highly rated online HBCU bachelor's program in psychology.
Many students prefer an online environment: 100% of the online psychology, education, and social sciences students and graduates BestColleges surveyed in 2024 said they would recommend online education to others.
HBCU Application Requirements for Psychology Majors
Applying to an HBCU isn't much different than applying to any other college in the U.S. One major difference, however, is that you can apply to dozens of HBCUs using the Common Black College Application.
Basic application requirements include:
Academic transcripts
Resume
What Can You Do With a Psychology Degree From an HBCU?
The best HBCUs for psychology can help prepare you for a broad array of careers. While you can enter the workforce with just a bachelor's degree, graduate school can help you advance in your career, especially if you aim to become a psychologist.
According to 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 49% of the psychology workforce holds an advanced degree, compared to just 38% of workers in all fields.
You'll need a doctorate and licensure if you plan to become a clinical or counseling psychologist. However, you may be able to work as an industrial-organizational psychologist with just a master's degree.
The following table introduces common careers you can pursue with a bachelor's degree in psychology:
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Community Service Managers | $77,030 | Facilitate public access to social services and community programs, coordinate service delivery, and analyze program outcomes |
| Human Resources Specialists | $67,650 | Recruit employees, screen candidates, conduct job interviews, place new hires in training programs, and manage employee compensation |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,340 | Identify skills gaps within organizational workforces and design and deliver programs to fill them |
| Substance Use and Behavioral Disorder Counselors | $53,710 | Diagnose and treat substance use and/or behavioral issues in individuals |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $41,410 | Identify client aid needs, provide support for meeting those needs, and liaise with social workers and other social services providers |
Learn More About Psychology-Related Jobs
Is a Psychology Degree From an HBCU Worth It?
Many students, particularly those who identify as Black, find unique value in attending an HBCU.
"As a graduate of a historically Black institution, as well as a professional currently working at an HBCU, I have found that there are consistent benefits for students who attend," says Hill.
These benefits, Hill explains, include "an expectation of academic excellence" and the unique "Black college bond" that HBCU graduates share with one another.
Before you apply to an HBCU for your psychology major, consider the factors above — perhaps most notably cost.
Minimizing your student debt load by reducing out-of-pocket costs is crucial. According to NACE, the average starting salary for psychology graduates in 2023 was just over $44,000 per year.
Lower-cost online programs can help you extract more value from your higher education experience. In BestColleges' 2024 survey, 85% of online psychology, education, and social sciences students and graduates said they believe that an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
Education Beyond a Bachelor's in Psychology
While a bachelor's degree in psychology leads most directly to graduate programs in the same field, you can also pursue advanced degrees in many other areas. These include:
Business and marketing
Many other social science fields pair well with psychology, such as criminology, communication studies, political science, and sociology.
Remember to explore online channels if you plan to pursue an advanced psychology degree: Psychology ranked among the top five fastest-growing fields for online college enrollment every year from 2020 to 2023, according to BestColleges' 2024 Online Education Trends Report.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best HBCUs for Psychology
Spelman College, Howard University, and North Carolina A&T State University topped our list of the best HBCUs for psychology in 2025.
According to Hill, Florida A&M University also houses a notable psychology program.
"[Florida A&M's psychology] program identifies as an African-centered training program with the purpose of growing the number of psychologists and social scientists of African descent," Hill says. "Its focus is on Black and multicultural psychology, areas which are seldom considered in other mainstream programs."
Ultimately, the best HBCU for psychology for you will be the one that aligns most closely with your learning goals, career plans, budget, and scheduling needs.
