Georgia is the proud home of ten historically Black college and universities (HBCUs), eight of which offer undergraduate degrees in various disciplines. In fact, Georgia is in the top five states with the most HBCUs, tying with Texas and trailing only behind Alabama and North Carolina.
Many students researching colleges in Georgia might first discover the University of Georgia, popular for good reason. Public or private school students often choose it for its prestige. But don’t overlook the state’s many acclaimed HBCUs, which offer benefits that can’t be found elsewhere.
An HBCU is classified as any accredited historically Black school founded before 1964 with a mission to educate Black students. Currently, there are 105 of these institutions in the country. The eight HBCU colleges in Georgia that offer undergraduate degrees are:
- Fort Valley State University
- Albany State University
- Savannah State University
- Morehouse College
- Spelman College
- Clark Atlanta University
- Morris Brown College
- Paine College
There are a million reasons why so many students aim to attend a historically Black college or university, but every student has their own personal reasons. No matter your motivation, you’ll benefit greatly from the unrivaled support systems and strong alumni networks these colleges and universities offer.
If you’re hoping to attend one of the HBCU colleges in Georgia, it’s important that you strive for good grades, a solid GPA, and high test scores in high school. You’ll want to begin to prepare for college well in advance, too.
When you’re considering colleges in Georgia, don’t let your search begin and end with the University of Georgia; public or private HBCUs might turn out to be just what you’re looking for.
Why Choose an HBCU in Georgia?
The benefits of attending an HBCU in Georgia are exciting, impressive, and ripe with opportunity! Some of the most frequently cited benefits include:
- Smaller, more personalized college experience
- Reduced costs of attending
- Better value
- Intimate settings
- Close-knit communities
- Challenging academic environments
- First-hand education about the African diaspora
If you plan to apply to more than one HBCU in Georgia, consider filling out the Common Black College Application. It makes it easy to apply to up to 67 HBCU colleges in Georgia and the entire country, with a one-time process and fee of just $20.
Which Undergraduate HBCU in Georgia Is Right for You?
To decide which HBCU in Georgia is right for you, you must learn some of the unique offerings each one delivers to its students. While they all share many commonalities, they are also each unique in their own ways.
Fort Valley State University (FVSU)
Fort Valley State University is located in Fort Valley, GA, and is home to 2,500 undergraduate students. Its acceptance rate is 72%, and it is situated on the second-largest campus of any college in Georgia, with 1,365 acres.
FVSU is ranked 7th by U.S. News & World Report in the Social Mobility category, thanks in part to its high value and low cost. It’s also ranked #83 in Regional Universities in the South and #39 in Top Public Schools.
Whether students choose Greek life, music, or athletics, a healthy variety of extracurricular clubs, activities, and organizations is present on the FVSU campus. The university offers students a wide array of strong academic and research opportunities, and it’s one of the most robust STEM colleges in Georgia.
FVSU also has the only veterinary technology program in the state.
Albany State University
Originally founded in 1903, Albany State University was consolidated with Darton State College under the University System of Georgia in 2017. The school prides itself on its strong liberal arts curriculum, which serves as its foundation for learning under its motto, Potential Realized.
Approximately 6,000 undergraduate students study at this HBCU in Georgia, and the school’s acceptance rate is 73%. There are two satellite campuses: one in Albany and the other in Cordele. Greek life, sports, and the arts are all prevalent offerings at the school, which is famous for its Marching Rams Show Band and strong soccer, diving, and swimming teams.
Albany State University is ranked #49 in the nation in Social Mobility, #49 in HBCUs, and #49 in Top Public Schools, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Its student-faculty ratio is 20:1, and ASU offers a strong nursing program.
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is the oldest public HBCU in Georgia — it was founded in 1890. The school is located in the beautiful city of Savannah, has an acceptance rate of 77%, and is home to approximately 3,395 undergraduate students. It is known for its prestigious business program.
The university has three colleges:
- The College of Liberal Arts
- The College of Business Administration
- The College of Sciences and Technology
Because of Savannah State University’s coastal location, students have the unique ability to engage in research aboard two vessels in the marine biology department. Along with a strong focus on science, this HBCU in Georgia also encourages students to explore the arts and other disciplines.
Students enjoy many athletic opportunities, team activities, Greek life, the Marching Tiger Student Band, and the Wesleyan Gospel Choir. Savannah State University is ranked #47 in Social Mobility and #49 in Top Public Schools.
Morehouse College
Chances are good you’ve heard of Morehouse College. This HBCU is a private liberal arts school located in Atlanta, Georgia. With an undergraduate enrollment of 2,554 students and an acceptance rate of 65%, it offers students an enormous array of opportunities.
Joining Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College in the AUC Consortium, Morehouse has an impressively low 14:1 student-faculty ratio and a desirable location downtown, close to the startup hub Atlanta Tech Village. The school boasts of producing more liberal arts PhDs, STEM PhDs, and Rhodes Scholars than all of the HBCUs in the country.
Morehouse College is traditionally a men’s college, and it ranks among the top 125 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. Among its alumni are Oscar winners, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, a U.S. homeland security secretary, a surgeon general, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The school ranks #23 for Best Undergraduate Teaching and #23 in Most Innovative Schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Spelman College
Another HBCU in Georgia is Spelman College in Atlanta, a private, historically women’s liberal arts college. Much of the focus of its students is on environmentalism, social change, and community service.
When Spelman students aren’t studying, they can often be found participating in various intramural sports teams and student organizations on campus.
Spelman has an acceptance rate of 51% and an undergraduate enrollment of just over 2,100 students. The elite college is ranked as the #1 HBCU and #51 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report. It is renowned for its ability to routinely produce Gilman Scholars, study abroad and research opportunities, and social mobility.
Clark Atlanta University
This Methodist private HBCU in Georgia was formed when Clark College and Atlanta University merged in 1988. It’s regarded as a research college, and the main campus is home to residential facilities, an art museum, and more.
With an acceptance rate of 52% and just over 3,300 undergraduate students, Clark Atlanta has a vibrant arts scene and four core schools. It is also the proud home of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
Because Clark Atlanta is part of the AUC Consortium, students can cross-register for classes in the other two consortium colleges (Spelman and Morehouse).
Clark Atlanta University is ranked #23 in HBCUs and #69 in Social Mobility, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Morris Brown College
This coeducational private HBCU in Georgia is located in Atlanta. It supports students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend college. Morris Brown has recently been accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), and students now have access to financial aid.
The college was founded over 140 years ago on African Methodist Episcopal principles. Morris Brown College offers bachelor’s degrees in four majors:
- Psychology
- Music
- Organizational management and leadership
- Global management and applied leadership
Notable alumni of Morris Brown College include Ezell Brown, Ezra Johnson, Alfred Jenkins, Dr. Rashad Sanford, Derrick Boazman, Thomas Byrd, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Alan McPherson, among many others.
Paine College
Located in the city of Augusta, Paine College has an undergraduate enrollment of about 200 students and an acceptance rate of 75%. This private HBCU in Georgia attracts students with its relaxed atmosphere and intimate campus, not to mention its impressive student-faculty ratio of 10:1.
More than 20 student organizations, in addition to the famously selective Paine College Concert Choir, are available on campus for students to enjoy. The Wesley Fellowship also provides an important outlet.
Students participate in many community service projects, parties, fundraisers, and retreats throughout the year. Paine College was ranked as one of the best Christian Colleges in Georgia in 2020 and 2021 by EDsmart, and the school is TRACS-accredited.
Find the Best HBCU in Georgia for You
Georgia offers more educational opportunities than just the University of Georgia; public or private HBCUs might provide the exact environment you need to launch the rest of your life. Make sure the schools you choose to apply to will support your academic goals. Learning more about the eight HBCUs in Georgia is a great place to start!
Julia de Raadt
Madeleine Karydes