10 HBCUs With Excellent Liberal Arts Programs
Liberal arts cover a broad scope of disciplines, encompassing many programs such as English, social sciences, art, philosophy, or simply liberal arts studies. These interdisciplinary degrees prepare students for a wide variety of careers and provide them with a strong skill set in areas like communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Students pursuing liberal arts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) experience a unique combination of strong community and challenging academics — readying them to be standout candidates in the job field. Liberal arts students at HBCUs will be prepared for a diverse set of roles across multiple industries, meaning they’re a great resource for any recruiting strategy. We’ve rounded up 10 top HBCUs for liberal arts for some inspiration on where to find excellent talent.
Alcorn State University
Location: Lorman, MS
Size of undergraduate student body: 2,533
School type: Public
Alcorn has been ranked #23 in HBCUs overall by U.S. News, and #24 for top public schools. Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and biology make up for 35% of all graduates, making them some of the most popular majors at the school. The School of Arts and Sciences is the largest at the university and its curriculum aims to incorporate Alcorn’s heritage in all of their studies.
Delaware State University
Location: Dover, DE
Size of undergraduate student body: 4,399
School type: Public
DSU offers a B.S. in integrated studies, where students select two areas of study and combine them into one cohesive program. Some of the other most popular majors include business management, social sciences, psychology, and communications. DSU's liberal studies program allows students to develop a program of study relevant to their personal and professional interests. DSU has been ranked #8 in the top HBCUs overall by U.S. News’ most recent report, #16 in most innovative schools, and #24 in Top Public Schools.
Fayetteville State University
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Size of undergraduate student body: 5,563
School type: Public
In 2019, FSU received a $30,000 grant to create a Liberal Arts Innovation Center where students can test, develop, and report on technology trends. The center aims to better connect STEM fields with the nuances of liberal arts. FSU has been ranked #31 in top HBCUs and #19 in top performers on social mobility by U.S. News.
Fisk University
Location: Nashville, TN
Size of undergraduate student body: 942
School type: Private
Fisk University's liberal arts-based programs are known for producing graduates from diverse backgrounds who are ready to contribute to society. Combined, majors in psychology, biology, english, and political science majors make up 45% of the school’s graduates. Fisk has been ranked #11 by U.S. News in HBCUs overall, and boasts notable alumni, including poet Nikki Giovanni and writer Robert Hayden, who was the first U.S. poet laureate.
Kentucky State University
Location: Frankfort, KY
Size of undergraduate student body: 2,135
School type: Public
Kentucky State University has received many accolades from U.S. News, including being ranked #15 in best value schools, #9 in top public schools in the regional south, and #36 in HBCUs overall. They offer a unique liberal studies degree where Honor’s students can double-major along with another area of study they’re interested in. This not only provides a custom-coursework option but also lays a groundwork for their pre-law track.
North Carolina A&T State University
Location: Greensboro, NC
Size of undergraduate student body: 13,322
School type: Public
North Carolina A&T is known as a research university, and some of the most popular majors include liberal arts and sciences, engineering, and business management. It places at #9 in U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of HBCUs overall. NCAT also offers a unique experience in its Department of Liberal Studies by allowing students to design their own individualized majors and learn across multiple disciplines.
Spelman College
Location: Atlanta, GA
Size of undergraduate student body: 2,417
School type: Private
Spelman is an all-female liberal arts school with an impressive reputation for producing highly-skilled graduates. Their graduation rate is the highest among HBCUs at 76%, and well above the national college graduation rate of 64%. Biology, psychology, political science, health sciences, english, and international studies are among the most popular majors at the school. One unique aspect about Spelman is their Women’s Research and Resource Center, which focuses on curriculum development for women’s studies, particularly women of African descent. Notable alumni include Alice Walker, author of “The Color Purple” and former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Audrey F. Manley.
Tougaloo College
Location: Tougaloo, MS
Size of undergraduate student body: 687
School type: Private
At Tougaloo, students majoring in social sciences, biology, psychology, and communications make up for nearly 70% of degrees. Tougaloo ranks at #12 in top HBCUs overall by U.S. News, and #3 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. Their liberal arts department emphasizes the examination of values, ideas, ideals, and culture in their studies. Notable alumni include the civil rights leader Anne Moody and congressman Bennie Thompson.
Virginia State University
Location: Petersburg, VA
Size of undergraduate student body: 4,649
School type: Public
In 2022, Virginia State University reported the largest year-over-year enrollment increase in a decade, reaching 4,649 students. In 2020, Virginia State was given $300,000 in a grant to bring minority students into the study of climate change and its effects on the nation’s food supply. Virginia State has been ranked by U.S. News as the #27 best school for top performers on social mobility, and #26 in top HBCUs. They also provide a hub for first-year students to be set up for success, called the Academic Center of Excellence.
Winston-Salem State University
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Size of undergraduate student body: 4,689
School type: Public
WSSU’s liberal arts program focuses on teaching students to explore critically and creatively. The department offers two options: a customizable major in interdisciplinary studies, or African-American studies, with minors in philosophy and religious studies. They also have a chapter of Alpha Iota Sigma, a national honors society for interdisciplinary students. WSSU has been ranked #19 in overall HBCUs by U.S. News, in addition to #18 in top performers on social mobility.
All of these schools provide a great starting point for any company looking to recruit liberal arts graduates. Looking for students in business, STEM, or computer science specifically? Click the links to see which HBCUs we recommend.
Want more information on the top HBCUs? Download our guide to recruiting at HBCUs here.
