Rankings / HBCU
Most Affordable HBCUs
- 50
- Schools
- $38,195
- Avg. Earnings
- 32%
- Avg. Graduation
- $11,527
- Avg. Net Price
- $26,108
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $29,288 to $50,698, a 1.7× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Gadsden State Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $32,937 in median earnings against $3,515 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Gadsden State Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $3,515 a year in net price.
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North Carolina A & T State University graduates 56% of its students, versus a 32% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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St Philip's College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.25× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Elizabeth City State University ($40,026 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Morgan State University ($50,698), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Gadsden State Community College costs $3,515 a year and Texas Southern University costs $16,590. Yet their graduates earn $32,937 and $38,924, nowhere near the $13,075 price gap.
- On value, Gadsden State Community College beats Morgan State University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Gadsden State Community College and North Carolina A & T State University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $38K 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 Elizabeth City State University #1 overall | $40,026 ▲ +5% vs avg | $6,364 | 46% | 85 |
| 2 Fayetteville State University #2 overall | $40,144 ▲ +5% vs avg | $7,892 | 37% | 82 |
| 3 Kentucky State University #3 overall | $36,382 ▼ -5% vs avg | $8,040 | 30% | 81 |
| $35,594 ▼ -7% vs avg | $7,099 | 26% | 81 | |
| $38,681 ▲ +1% vs avg | $7,469 | 28% | 80 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable HBCUs
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $38,195 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 32% and an average net price of $11,527.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Gadsden State Community College — Net Price: $3,515 | Graduation Rate: 35%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: North Carolina A & T State University — 56% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Morgan State University — Median alumni earnings: $50,698
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Access & Mobility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the role of HBCUs in American opportunity?
$38,099
Median earnings (10yr)
31%
Median graduation rate
$12,620
Median net price
2.5%
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.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $38,099 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 31%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $12,620 a year with about $26,850 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 61% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.5%.
What we’re seeing: HBCUs consistently outperform on mobility relative to their funding. An average of 61% 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 2.5%. These outcomes reframe what efficient higher education looks like.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Elizabeth City State University lands at #1 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,026 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,364 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 #2
Fayetteville State University lands at #2 with a 82/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Kentucky State University lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,382 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,040 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
Why it ranks #4
Le Moyne-Owen College lands at #4 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $35,594 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,099 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charlotte Amalie, VI · 99% accepted · $7,469 net
Why it ranks #5
University of the Virgin Islands lands at #5 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $38,681 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,469 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Gadsden State Community College lands at #6 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Graduates earn a median $32,937 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,515 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
St Philip's College lands at #7 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (35/100). Graduates earn a median $38,224 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,273 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Mississippi Valley State University lands at #8 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $31,919 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,686 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
Why it ranks #9
Wiley University lands at #9 with a 78/100 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, 13% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 50% accepted · $10,846 net
Why it ranks #10
North Carolina A & T State University lands at #10 with a 78/100 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, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,846 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 #11
Savannah State University lands at #11 with a 77/100 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, 1% 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 #12
Fort Valley State University lands at #12 with a 77/100 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, 4% 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 #13
Bishop State Community College lands at #13 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (20/100). Graduates earn a median $29,916 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,397 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 #14
Coppin State University lands at #14 with a 76/100 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, 22% 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
Why it ranks #15
West Virginia State University lands at #15 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $40,492 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,139 a year. 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 #16
Lawson State Community College lands at #16 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (23/100). Graduates earn a median $31,701 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,275 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 #17
University of the District of Columbia lands at #17 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,236 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,648 a year. 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 #18
Jarvis Christian University lands at #18 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $32,992 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,825 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
Pine Bluff, AR · 41% accepted · $12,653 net
Why it ranks #19
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff lands at #19 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $35,550 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,653 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 #20
Harris-Stowe State University lands at #20 with a 72/100 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, 19% 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 #21
Lane College lands at #21 with a 72/100 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, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,904 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 #22
Bethune-Cookman University lands at #22 with a 72/100 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,030 a year. 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
Central State University lands at #23 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,267 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,096 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 #24
Langston University lands at #24 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $33,261 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,504 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 #25
Winston-Salem State University lands at #25 with a 71/100 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, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 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
Alcorn State University lands at #26 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (54/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,421 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,265 a year, above the field. 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 #27
Albany State University lands at #27 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $40,674 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,898 a year. 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 #28
Bluefield State University lands at #28 with a 70/100 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, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,684 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
Tallahassee, FL · 21% accepted · $13,739 net
Why it ranks #29
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University lands at #29 with a 70/100 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, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,739 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 #30
Rust College lands at #30 with a 70/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,587 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 #31
Virginia Union University lands at #31 with a 70/100 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, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 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 #32
Livingstone College lands at #32 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $32,600 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 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
Delaware State University lands at #33 with a 69/100 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, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,910 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 #34
H Councill Trenholm State Community College lands at #34 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (22/100). Graduates earn a median $32,183 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,325 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 #35
Paul Quinn College lands at #35 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $29,288 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,709 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 #36
Prairie View A & M University lands at #36 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (68/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $45,411 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,570 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 #37
Southern University at New Orleans lands at #37 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $34,042 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,810 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
Princess Anne, MD · 96% accepted · $13,338 net
Why it ranks #38
University of Maryland Eastern Shore lands at #38 with a 68/100 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, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,338 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 #39
Virginia State University lands at #39 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, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,840 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
Lincoln University lands at #40 with a 68/100 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, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,977 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 #41
North Carolina Central University lands at #41 with a 67/100 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, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,359 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
Norfolk State University lands at #42 with a 67/100 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, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,282 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
Tennessee State University lands at #43 with a 66/100 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, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,796 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 #44
Morgan State University lands at #44 with a 66/100 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, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,985 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 #45
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania lands at #45 with a 66/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,265 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
Voorhees University lands at #46 with a 66/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,335 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 #47
Philander Smith University lands at #47 with a 66/100 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,224 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 #48
Stillman College lands at #48 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,421 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,258 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 #49
Texas Southern University lands at #49 with a 65/100 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, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,590 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 #50
Miles College lands at #50 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $32,627 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 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 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
When considering an education at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), affordability is often a top concern for students and families. With net prices that can significantly influence a student's financial future, many are looking for options that won’t leave them burdened by debt. On this list, we explore the most affordable HBCUs, highlighting institutions that provide solid value for the investment.
The schools featured here stand out not just for their low net prices but also for their outcomes in areas like graduation rates, earnings potential, and student debt. The average earnings of graduates from these institutions is $38,112, while the average graduation rate is 32%. This data emphasizes the importance of choosing an HBCU that balances affordability with long-term value, ensuring that students are better positioned for financial stability post-graduation.
Take Elizabeth City State University and Le Moyne-Owen College as examples. Elizabeth City State boasts $40,026 in average earnings with a 46% graduation rate, while Le Moyne-Owen graduates earn $35,594 and have a lower graduation rate of 26%. These differences illustrate how financial outcomes can vary widely even among affordable options, guiding students to consider not just costs but also potential returns on their investment.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 29 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Savannah State University leads the group at 4%, with Mississippi Valley State University (3.9%) and Elizabeth City State University (3.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 25.4% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Mississippi Valley State University enrolls the most, at 45.5%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 11% across the list, peaking at 31.7% at North Carolina A & T State University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.04, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Lincoln University is highest at 1.45.
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
While reviewing the data, one pattern stands out: Elizabeth City State University not only has the highest earnings at $40,026 but also a graduation rate of 46%, outperforming Le Moyne-Owen College, which has $35,594 in earnings and only a 26% graduation rate. This disparity highlights how critical completion rates can be in determining overall financial success after college.
Now that you've seen the rankings, how do you apply this information? It’s important to weigh these metrics against your personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, desired programs, campus culture, and your financial situation. A school with a slightly higher net price might offer better career support or networking opportunities, which could be worth the investment.
This data paints a clear picture of the financial journey ahead for many families. Deciding on the right HBCU can significantly impact a student’s path to financial stability. For one family, choosing Elizabeth City State University could mean a stronger return on their investment, while another might prioritize a different school for its unique offerings. Every decision counts in shaping a successful future.
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
Most Affordable HBCUs: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable HBCUs ranking? +
Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable HBCUs ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $40,026 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 46% 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? +
Morgan State University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $50,698 ten years after enrollment, well above the $38,195 average across the 50 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, Gadsden State Community College leads: graduates earn a median $32,937 against net price of about $3,515 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? +
North Carolina A & T State University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 56%, compared with a 32% 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 $11,527 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Gadsden State Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,515. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable HBCUs 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 50 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
