# Best HBCUs for Cybersecurity

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 41 | Category: HBCU
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-cybersecurity

## Methodology

HBCUs ranked by outcomes and program concentration in Computer Science & IT

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

The best historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for cybersecurity are not just about tradition; they are shaping the future for students in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. With a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, prospective students are looking for institutions that can provide the skills and connections necessary for success in this field. Among these schools, the average earnings for graduates hover around $40,015, highlighting the financial potential awaiting those who complete their degrees.

What sets the top HBCUs apart is their focus on outcomes that truly matter: graduation rates, earnings, and manageable debt levels. The schools listed below have demonstrated a commitment to not only educating their students in computer science and IT but also ensuring they are well-prepared to enter the workforce. For instance, Elizabeth City State University has an impressive graduation rate of 46% and relatively low debt, making it a strong contender for students looking for value in their education.

Take Bowie State University and Morgan State University, for example. Bowie State boasts higher average earnings at $54,537 compared to Morgan State's $50,698, but it also comes with a higher net price of $19,298 versus Morgan's $14,985. This contrast underscores the importance of weighing potential earnings against tuition costs when making a decision, ensuring students find a balance that works for their financial goals.

## Key Findings

- University of the Virgin Islands graduates earn an average of $38,681.
- Elizabeth City State University has a graduation rate of 46%, the highest among the top five.
- Bowie State University graduates face an average debt of $22,985, which is higher than all others on the list.
- North Carolina A & T State University has a net price of $10,846, making it one of the more affordable options.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Elizabeth City State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/elizabeth-city-state-university) | Elizabeth City, NC | 46% | $40,026 | $6,364 | $21,463 | 0.54x |
| 2 | [North Carolina A & T State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-carolina-a-t-state-university) | Greensboro, NC | 56% | $44,440 | $10,846 | $27,000 | 0.61x |
| 3 | [Virginia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-state-university) | Petersburg, VA | 40% | $45,543 | $15,840 | $26,500 | 0.58x |
| 4 | [Lincoln University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-university-pa) | Lincoln University, PA | 48% | $43,167 | $14,977 | $28,250 | 0.65x |
| 5 | [Kentucky State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kentucky-state-university) | Frankfort, KY | 30% | $36,382 | $8,040 | $25,938 | 0.71x |
| 6 | [Norfolk State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/norfolk-state-university) | Norfolk, VA | 36% | $44,666 | $15,282 | $29,000 | 0.65x |
| 7 | [Fort Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fort-valley-state-university) | Fort Valley, GA | 43% | $36,666 | $10,338 | $31,000 | 0.85x |
| 8 | [Howard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/howard-university) | Washington, DC | 69% | $63,066 | $50,539 | $24,500 | 0.39x |
| 9 | [Bowie State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowie-state-university) | Bowie, MD | 38% | $54,537 | $19,298 | $22,985 | 0.42x |
| 10 | [University of the Virgin Islands](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-virgin-islands) | Charlotte Amalie, VI | 28% | $38,681 | $7,469 | $16,800 | 0.43x |
| 11 | [Tennessee State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tennessee-state-university) | Nashville, TN | 33% | $42,730 | $15,796 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 12 | [Philander Smith University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/philander-smith-university) | Little Rock, AR | 31% | $38,427 | $14,224 | $24,736 | 0.64x |
| 13 | [University of the District of Columbia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-district-of-columbia) | Washington, DC | 30% | $44,236 | $10,648 | $24,872 | 0.56x |
| 14 | [South Carolina State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-carolina-state-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 33% | $38,262 | $18,097 | $31,000 | 0.81x |
| 15 | [Dillard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dillard-university) | New Orleans, LA | 44% | $39,196 | $22,094 | $31,000 | 0.79x |
| 16 | [Rust College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rust-college) | Holly Springs, MS | 17% | $32,275 | $12,587 | $26,159 | 0.81x |
| 17 | [Virginia Union University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-union-university) | Richmond, VA | 39% | $38,275 | $13,235 | $29,000 | 0.76x |
| 18 | [Savannah State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/savannah-state-university) | Savannah, GA | 27% | $37,981 | $8,172 | $28,000 | 0.74x |
| 19 | [Fisk University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fisk-university) | Nashville, TN | 35% | $45,454 | $32,020 | $27,000 | 0.59x |
| 20 | [Clark Atlanta University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clark-atlanta-university) | Atlanta, GA | 48% | $42,712 | $37,702 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 21 | [Morgan State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morgan-state-university) | Baltimore, MD | 41% | $50,698 | $14,985 | $27,250 | 0.54x |
| 22 | [Grambling State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grambling-state-university) | Grambling, LA | 34% | $41,109 | $19,809 | $36,500 | 0.89x |
| 23 | [Southern University at New Orleans](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-university-at-new-orleans) | New Orleans, LA | 16% | $34,042 | $14,810 | $31,000 | 0.91x |
| 24 | [Delaware State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/delaware-state-university) | Dover, DE | 39% | $49,307 | $13,910 | $26,000 | 0.53x |
| 25 | [Jackson State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jackson-state-university) | Jackson, MS | 41% | $39,060 | $23,836 | $30,470 | 0.78x |
| 26 | [Shaw University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shaw-university) | Raleigh, NC | 21% | $34,409 | $16,512 | $32,500 | 0.94x |
| 27 | [Florida Memorial University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-memorial-university) | Miami Gardens, FL | 31% | $36,624 | $23,238 | $30,063 | 0.82x |
| 28 | [Bluefield State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bluefield-state-university) | Bluefield, WV | 36% | $38,217 | $13,684 | $18,250 | 0.48x |
| 29 | [Huston-Tillotson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/huston-tillotson-university) | Austin, TX | 35% | $42,937 | $19,719 | $30,750 | 0.72x |
| 30 | [Johnson C Smith University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-c-smith-university) | Charlotte, NC | 34% | $42,680 | $20,894 | $30,000 | 0.7x |
| 31 | [Livingstone College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/livingstone-college) | Salisbury, NC | 26% | $32,600 | $13,479 | $31,125 | 0.95x |
| 32 | [Oakwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakwood-university) | Huntsville, AL | 47% | $42,488 | $25,669 | $27,000 | 0.64x |
| 33 | [Harris-Stowe State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harris-stowe-state-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 28% | $31,088 | $9,922 | $25,930 | 0.83x |
| 34 | [Le Moyne-Owen College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/le-moyne-owen-college) | Memphis, TN | 26% | $35,594 | $7,099 | $28,070 | 0.79x |
| 35 | [Lane College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lane-college) | Jackson, TN | 18% | $31,670 | $10,904 | $30,500 | 0.96x |
| 36 | [Talladega College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/talladega-college) | Talladega, AL | 43% | $32,229 | $15,560 | $28,500 | 0.88x |
| 37 | [Alabama A & M University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-a-m-university) | Normal, AL | 26% | $40,628 | $17,621 | $31,000 | 0.76x |
| 38 | [Alabama State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alabama-state-university) | Montgomery, AL | 30% | $34,502 | $20,435 | $31,000 | 0.9x |
| 39 | [Miles College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miles-college) | Fairfield, AL | 20% | $32,627 | $14,271 | $31,217 | 0.96x |
| 40 | [Lincoln University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lincoln-university-mo) | Jefferson City, MO | 22% | $39,463 | $19,092 | $28,875 | 0.73x |
| 41 | [Benedict College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedict-college) | Columbia, SC | 23% | $31,902 | $18,250 | $32,500 | 1.02x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best HBCUs for Cybersecurity." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-hbcu-cybersecurity

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.