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PRESENTER: Congress officially defines an HBCU
as a school established before 1964,
whose principal mission was and is the education
of black Americans.
These establishments became prevalent after the Civil War
and were dedicated to the newly free
African-American population.
Before the establishment of HBCUs,
access to higher education for black students
was virtually non-existent.
In total, there are 106 HBCUs which
enroll 11% of black students in the US, while only representing
3% of colleges in the country.
Here are three reasons to consider attending an HBCU.
On average, HBCU tuition rates are almost 30%
less than comparable institutions.
That makes it a best buy with higher returns at a lower cost.
HBCUs provide the best value in education,
which helps to eliminate or reduce student debt for low
to middle income families.
This effort could dramatically narrow the racial wealth gap.
In a poll conducted by Gallup Purdue,
it was noted that black graduates of HBCUs
are more likely to have felt supported while
in college than those who graduated
from predominately white institutions.
HBCU campuses can serve as a safe and nurturing environment
for some students.
These institutions have ensured that every student
has had the chance to succeed.
By way of affordable pricing and nurturing academic environment,
HBCUs are producing some of the leaders of the future.
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