Rankings / HBCU
Best HBCUs for Public Administration
- 47
- Schools
- $42,180
- Avg. Earnings
- 38%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,382
- Avg. Net Price
- $27,130
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 47 schools run from $30,614 to $63,066, a 2.1× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Fayetteville State University delivers the most for the money: roughly $40,144 in median earnings against $7,892 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Wiley University is the lowest-cost school here at $7,092 a year in net price.
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Spelman College graduates 77% of its students, versus a 38% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Howard University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.39× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Spelman College ($59,993 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Howard University ($63,066), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Wiley University costs $7,092 a year and Howard University costs $50,539. Yet their graduates earn $33,159 and $63,066, nowhere near the $43,447 price gap.
- On value, Fayetteville State University beats Howard University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Fayetteville State University and Spelman College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $42K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Spelman College #1 overall | $59,993 ▲ +42% vs avg | $38,967 | 77% | 70 |
| 2 North Carolina Central University #2 overall | $42,968 ▲ +2% vs avg | $15,359 | 44% | 70 |
| 3 Xavier University of Louisiana #3 overall | $52,184 ▲ +24% vs avg | $17,127 | 49% | 70 |
| $40,144 ▼ -5% vs avg | $7,892 | 37% | 69 | |
| $44,349 ▲ +5% vs avg | $13,739 | 53% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best HBCUs for Public Administration
This analysis ranks 47 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $42,180 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 38% and an average net price of $18,382.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Fayetteville State University — Net Price: $7,892 | Graduation Rate: 37%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Spelman College — 77% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Howard University — Median alumni earnings: $63,066
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Access & Mobility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the role of HBCUs in American opportunity?
$42,488
Median earnings (10yr)
38%
Median graduation rate
$15,560
Median net price
2.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Historically Black Colleges and Universities educate a disproportionate share of Black professionals, doctors, engineers, and teachers, and they do it on a fraction of the endowments their peers enjoy. Theirs is a record of outsized mobility on modest budgets. Resources and results, that record shows, are not the same thing.
The median graduation rate across these 47 schools is 38%. Median graduate earnings reach $42,488 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $15,560 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $27,000. Some 63% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.9%.
What we’re seeing: HBCUs consistently outperform on mobility relative to their funding. An average of 63% of students here receive Pell grants, the federal aid program for low-income families, and the typical school moves low-income students to the top quintile at 2.9%. These outcomes reframe what efficient higher education looks like.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Spelman College lands at #1 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $59,993 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,967 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
North Carolina Central University lands at #2 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,968 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,359 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Xavier University of Louisiana lands at #3 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,184 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,127 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Fayetteville State University lands at #4 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,144 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,892 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Tallahassee, FL · 21% accepted · $13,739 net
Why it ranks #5
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University lands at #5 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $44,349 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,739 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Virginia State University lands at #6 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,840 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Hampton University lands at #7 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $59,159 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,319 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania lands at #8 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $37,837 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 50% accepted · $10,846 net
Why it ranks #9
North Carolina A & T State University lands at #9 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $44,440 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,846 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Lincoln University lands at #10 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,167 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,977 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Howard University lands at #11 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (22/100). Graduates earn a median $63,066 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $50,539 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Norfolk State University lands at #12 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,666 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,282 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Winston-Salem State University lands at #13 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,344 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Bluefield State University lands at #14 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,217 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,684 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Paine College lands at #15 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $33,338 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,670 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Morehouse College lands at #16 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $52,889 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,013 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Virginia Union University lands at #17 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,275 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Rust College lands at #18 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,275 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,587 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Tennessee State University lands at #19 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,730 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,796 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Tougaloo College lands at #20 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,724 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,043 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Fort Valley State University lands at #21 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $36,666 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Tuskegee University lands at #22 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (29/100). Graduates earn a median $49,641 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,013 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Savannah State University lands at #23 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $37,981 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,172 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Philander Smith University lands at #24 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (54/100). Graduates earn a median $38,427 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,224 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Clark Atlanta University lands at #25 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (23/100). Graduates earn a median $42,712 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,702 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Texas Southern University lands at #26 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,924 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,590 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Dillard University lands at #27 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $39,196 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,094 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Claflin University lands at #28 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,304 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Delaware State University lands at #29 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,307 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,910 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Morgan State University lands at #30 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,698 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,985 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Shaw University lands at #31 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $34,409 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,512 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Jackson State University lands at #32 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $39,060 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,836 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Bowie State University lands at #33 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,537 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,298 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Coppin State University lands at #34 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,490 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,977 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Princess Anne, MD · 96% accepted · $13,338 net
Why it ranks #35
University of Maryland Eastern Shore lands at #35 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $47,697 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Bethune-Cookman University lands at #36 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,518 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,030 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Fisk University lands at #37 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,454 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $32,020 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Wiley University lands at #38 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $33,159 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,092 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Baton Rouge, LA · 35% accepted · $20,077 net
Why it ranks #39
Southern University and A & M College lands at #39 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,371 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,077 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Harris-Stowe State University lands at #40 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (61/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $31,088 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,922 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Johnson C Smith University lands at #41 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $42,680 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,894 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Oakwood University lands at #42 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $42,488 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,669 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Lane College lands at #43 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $31,670 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Voorhees University lands at #44 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $35,339 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,335 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Alabama State University lands at #45 with a 49/100 composite, led by social mobility (56/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $34,502 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,435 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Talladega College lands at #46 with a 48/100 composite, led by value per dollar (52/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,229 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,560 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Morris College lands at #47 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $30,614 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 47 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
When considering a degree in public administration, many students are looking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that excel in this field. With 44 institutions on our list, these schools share a commitment to serving diverse communities and preparing students for impactful careers. The average earnings for graduates from these programs stand at $42,025, highlighting their potential financial return.
The strongest schools in this ranking distinguish themselves through key outcomes: graduation rates, average earnings, debt load, and the potential for upward mobility. For example, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University has a graduation rate of 53% and average earnings of $44,349, which sets a high bar for others on the list. As you read through the rankings, consider how each institution’s financial and academic outcomes align with your personal goals.
Take Fayetteville State University and Xavier University of Louisiana, for instance. Fayetteville State has average earnings of $40,144 and a graduation rate of 37%, while Xavier's graduates earn $52,184 with a 49% graduation rate. This contrast illustrates how different programs can lead to varying career outcomes and financial situations, helping you gauge what might be the best fit for your aspirations.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 28 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.9%. Xavier University of Louisiana leads the group at 5.3%, with Tuskegee University (5.2%) and Dillard University (5%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 21.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Rust College leads at 35.5%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 16.8% across this list. Howard University posts the highest success rate at 37.1%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.20 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Hampton University reaches 1.62, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
Fayetteville State University and North Carolina Central University provide an interesting comparison in this ranking. Despite similar fields of study, Fayetteville State's graduates earn $40,144, while North Carolina Central's earn slightly less at $42,968, despite a higher debt burden of $28,250. This disparity highlights the importance of evaluating both earnings and debt when choosing a program.
After reviewing the top schools, focus on what matters most to you. Consider factors like location, campus culture, and financial aid options. For instance, if you're drawn to a specific area of public administration, you may prioritize schools with strong internship connections or local networks. Make a list of your priorities to help guide your decision-making.
Ultimately, selecting the right HBCU can significantly impact your journey toward a stable and fulfilling career. With the average earnings hovering around $42,025, students should weigh both the financial and personal aspects of their choice. One decision can influence a family’s future, making this an important step in our collective pursuit of opportunity.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best HBCUs for Public Administration: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best HBCUs for Public Administration ranking? +
Spelman College in Atlanta, GA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best HBCUs for Public Administration ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $59,993 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 77% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Howard University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $63,066 ten years after enrollment, well above the $42,180 average across the 47 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Fayetteville State University leads: graduates earn a median $40,144 against net price of about $7,892 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Spelman College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 77%, compared with a 38% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $18,382 a year across the 47 ranked schools with cost data. Wiley University is among the most affordable at roughly $7,092. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best HBCUs for Public Administration ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 47 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
