The U.S. News HBCU rankings 2027 edition puts Spelman College at No. 1 for the 20th consecutive year, while public universities gain national ground and colleges outside the top 10 earn recognition for value and student opportunity.
The 2027 rankings, released in September, place Spelman first among historically Black colleges and universities. The Atlanta women’s college also ranks No. 34 among national liberal arts colleges and No. 2 for social mobility within that category.
U.S. News HBCU rankings 2027: Which schools lead?
Howard University ranks second, followed by Tuskegee University at No. 3 and Morehouse College at No. 4. North Carolina A&T State University completes the top five.
Florida A&M University and Hampton University tie at No. 6. Morgan State University ranks eighth, Xavier University of Louisiana ninth and Claflin University 10th.
The first four institutions are private. N.C. A&T’s fifth-place finish makes it the highest-ranked public institution on the Best HBCUs list.
N.C. A&T and FAMU lead in different categories
For families comparing public HBCUs, an important distinction lies beneath the headlines.
N.C. A&T leads public institutions in the HBCU-specific ranking. FAMU, however, holds the highest position among HBCUs in the separate national public university ranking, climbing 13 places to No. 79.
The results reflect different comparison groups and methodologies. N.C. A&T ranks No. 116 among public national universities, also a 13-place improvement. Both institutions advanced nationally.
N.C. A&T also reported gains in undergraduate business, engineering, nursing and computer science rankings.
“Our responsibility as a public, land-grant HBCU is to bring academic excellence and opportunity together,” Chancellor James R. Martin II said in the university’s announcement.
Progress extends beyond the top 10
For prospective students, the U.S. News HBCU rankings 2027 edition offers a starting point for comparing institutions.
Talladega College offers another notable development. The Alabama institution rose from No. 52 to a tie at No. 29 among HBCUs. It also ranked first for best value among regional colleges in the South and fourth for social mobility in that category.
Prairie View A&M University climbed five positions to a tie at No. 13 among HBCUs, alongside North Carolina Central University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Prairie View also rose 26 places among national universities to No. 317.
These results broaden the conversation about HBCU excellence: Recognition reaches beyond the best-known campuses to institutions gaining visibility for affordability, academic standing and student success.
For prospective students, the rankings offer a starting point. Comparing financial aid, degree programs, graduation outcomes and campus support can help families determine which institution fits their goals.
Spelman’s sustained leadership, public universities’ national gains and advances at smaller colleges give the HBCU community several achievements to recognize as students consider their next steps.
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