Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have always provided a safe and affirming space for Black students. HBCUs instill cultural pride. They also shield students from having to navigate racism at predominantly white institutions.
At HBCUs, students aspire to be themselves and join an inclusive and welcoming culture.
LGBTQ+ students at HBCUs need a supportive environment as they navigate multiple forms of discrimination — racism, homophobia, and transphobia.
While LGBTQ+ inclusion at all colleges, including HBCUs, has a long way to go, many of these institutions are committed to expanding services and support for LGBTQ+ students.
What Makes an HBCU LGBTQ+-Inclusive?
Regardless of the institution you choose, there are key factors that indicate whether a college is inclusive of LGBTQ+ students.
For LGBTQ+ HBCU students, many of the challenges they face can be amplified. These include a lack of faculty and professionals who advocate for LGBTQ+ support on campus, college and housing affordability, and mental healthcare resources.
In partnership with Campus Pride, we have assessed HBCUs in the United States based on variables listed by the Campus Pride HBCU Clearinghouse (a Campus Pride HBCU Commission project), some of which include:
Nondiscrimination statement inclusive of sexual orientation
LGBTQ+ studies programs and course offerings
Ally program and/or Safe Zone trainings
Resource center/office responsible for LGBTQ+ student support services
Additionally, we incorporated our own rankings methodology, which evaluates schools based on academic outcomes and college affordability:
Academic Quality: To assess academic quality, we focus on what we believe are the most important distinguishing factors. We compare a school's admission rate to its enrollment rate to gauge the rigor and competitiveness of a school. We use full-time retention rate (or, the rate at which students return after their freshman year) to rank a school's effectiveness at keeping students enrolled. Similarly, graduation rate is crucial in weighing how many enrolled students successfully complete their degree program (note that graduation rate measures full-time, first-time students).
College Affordability: Our affordability score considers the cost of college (average net price) with the amount borrowed (percentage of students taking loans) and the ability to repay a loan after graduation (average loan default rate). Our goal is to reward schools not only offering competitive tuition but also those that provide students with the skills needed to graduate and successfully enter the workforce.
Please note: A number of schools on this list are within states with standing and/or pending anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. While we acknowledge the resources and services offered to LGBTQ+ students at these schools, please consider state and local laws before making a decision to attend any of these schools.
About Campus Pride
Campus Pride is the premier national organization for college students seeking support and resources for LGBTQ+ issues on campus. Campus Pride offers a variety of resources for students to explore and understand their LGBTQ+ identity, as well as for allies and parents and family who seek to better support LGBTQ+ students in their lives.
Together with Campus Pride, we have curated the following list of HBCUs across the United States that are making significant strides in their support for LGBTQ+ students.
