Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest private HBCU, has also experienced a surge in enrollment. The university saw a 29% increase in enrollment for the 2023-2024 academic year, prompting plans for new student housing. New student enrollment has reached a ten-year high, and student retention has improved to 71%. Wilberforce’s remarkable affordability, with tuition of just $12,020 for the 2023-2024 academic year, may be a factor in its growing popularity.

At Elizabeth City State University, enrollment has also been on the rise. The university achieved its highest enrollment in eight years for the fall 2023 semester, with a 4.6% increase in students from the previous year. Growth was seen in most student categories, with first-generation students making up 29% of the student body and military-affiliated students comprising 11.5%. The university’s commitment to increasing enrollment rates and improving financial sustainability has been key to its success.

These three small HBCUs are bucking the trend of declining enrollment at many colleges and universities. Their success in attracting and retaining students is a testament to the value of the HBCU experience and the important role these institutions play in providing access to higher education for students from underrepresented backgrounds.