Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have the power to diversify nursing and fill the nursing gap. HBCU grads can benefit from the supportive learning environment —mentoring services, clubs, and hands-on professors — to become leaders in nursing. Under the mission of educating Black people, HBCUs began during segregation and now educate people of all racial backgrounds. This guide details more about the top HBCU nursing programs.
Discover how to apply and find out what careers await graduates of HBCU online nursing programs.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best HBCU nursing programs, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
At a Glance: The Top HBCU Nursing Programs
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Oakwood University
- Delaware State University
- Howard University
- Winston-Salem State University
- Dillard University
- Claflin University
- Hampton University
- Coahoma Community College
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Featured Online RN-to-BSN in Nursing Programs
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an HBCU Nursing Program
If you want to attend an HBCU nursing program, how do you decide on the best? What school you attend is a personal decision. That said, key factors make programs more accessible, affordable, flexible, and can ensure your success as a nurse.
Admission Requirements
Even if you find a nursing program that appeals to you, schools have eligibility requirements you must meet. You do not know if you can apply for a nursing program unless you read the admission requirements.
Specializations and Program Tracks
The various specializations and program tracks offered can give you the freedom in your postcollege career to work in specific areas of nursing. Check if a nursing program has specializations in line with your passion and skill set.
Graduates, among other specialities, can become critical care nurses, family nurse practitioners, midwife nurses, and registered nurses (RNs).
Clinical Experience
As a nursing student, you must get hands-on clinical training with patients. Some nursing schools make it easier to complete your clinical experience. For instance, you may have the option of evening or weekend clinical rotations. The length of an internship or a clinical experience varies.
Accreditation
Institutional accreditation is earned after an independent body has visited a school, reviewed its outcomes, and found that it meets quality standards. This means your education offers more value, but it also ensures certain protections on your investment.
Going to an accredited school allows you to transfer credits to other accredited colleges and toward a graduate degree. Also, going to an accredited college provides credibility in the eyes of employers.
School NCLEX Pass Rate
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate gives a clue about how well an HBCU nursing program prepares its graduates to take and pass the RN nursing exam. This metric — even for graduate students who have already passed the NCLEX exam — gives insights into a college's ability to challenge students and provide resources like tutoring, mentoring, and academic guidance.
School Graduation Rate
It means something if a college has a low graduation rate. If you choose to become a student, what are your chances of graduating on time? This metric gives you an idea about the resources available to students and support services.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Colleges have different online learning structures, often influenced by the major. A student taking an asynchronous course finishes assignments on deadline without any live course requirements. Synchronous courses require live coursework but also provide interaction with classmates and instructors.
Most HBCU online nursing programs offer a hybrid of virtual lessons and in-person labs and clinical rotations.
Why Is HBCU Nursing Program Accreditation Important?
Colleges do not need accreditation, but they voluntarily undergo peer evaluations to show that they provide a quality education. Separate accrediting associations review a college to verify that it meets quality standards. This process protects your financial investment and makes sure that employers and other colleges recognize your degree and credits.
Every HBCU nursing program included in this guide is accredited. You want an accredited degree because:
- You may not qualify for RN licensure if you attend an unapproved nursing program.
- Accreditation offers continued quality evaluation of your education.
- Employers may not recognize degrees from unaccredited schools.
- Credits from an unaccredited degree program may not transfer.
- Unaccredited institutions may not qualify for federal financial aid.
Find out more about why nursing school accreditation is important.
Learn More About the Best HBCU Nursing Programs and Schools
See our methodology to learn more about how we create our rankings.
#1 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Tallahassee, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's nursing programs include a traditional pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) track, along with an online fast track registered nurse (RN)-to-BSN. FAMU trains nurses to become practitioners, communicators, team players, and leaders who deliver quality patient care.
Both tracks require completion of on-site clinical rotations and coursework, such as evidence-based practice, promoting the health of populations, and nursing leadership and management.
FAMU also offers master of science in nursing programs.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Tallahassee, Florida
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: Traditional BSN: $2,277 per semester for Florida residents, $8,250 for out-of-state students; RN-to-BSN: $152 per credit hour for Florida residents, $550 for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Pre-licensure BSN: minimum 3.1 GPA in pre-nursing coursework, TEAS exam scores; RN-to-BSN: associate degree in nursing, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 3-5 semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,919 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
98%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Oakwood University
- Huntsville, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Oakwood University offers a traditional pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program and a BSN completion program for registered nurses (RN-to-BSN). Oakwood emphasizes care of patients' bio-psychosocial and spiritual needs across the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
Nursing coursework includes community health nursing, gerontological nursing, introduction/transition to professional nursing, and pathophysiology. Students also take classes in literature of African peoples and gift of prophecy.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Huntsville, Alabama
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Alabama Board of Nursing
- Tuition: $9,487 per year
- Admission Requirements: Traditional BSN: minimum 3.0 GPA, plus ACT or SAT and HESI 2 scores; RN-to-BSN: associate degree in nursing, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 50% first-time pass rate
Percent Online Enrollment
81%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Delaware State University
- Dover, DE
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Degree programs at Delaware State University's Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences include a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). DSU emphasizes high-technology nursing tools for education and practice, along with professional community involvement.
The first two years focus on general education and pre-nursing coursework. The final two years include topics in health assessment, nurse leadership, transition to professional nursing, and nursing for various patient populations.
DSU also offers nursing master's degrees, including a master of science in nursing track for registered nurses.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Dover, Delaware
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $7,038 per year for Delaware residents; $16,960 for out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA; TEAS exam scores
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 76.12% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $72,022 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#4 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Howard University
- Washington, DC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Howard University nursing students can choose among three tracks: basic pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), licensed practical nurse (LPN)-to-BSN, or registered nurse (RN)-to-BSN. The nursing school emphasizes issues of homelessness and care of the elderly.
Basic program enrollees study general education topics for the first two years. Upper division coursework for all three tracks includes fundamentals of nursing practice, ethics for health professions, health policy and economics, and a summer clinical elective.
Howard also offers graduate nursing programs.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Washington, D.C.
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $30,584 per year
- Admission Requirements: Basic: high school diploma or college transfer credits, TEAS exam scores, 3.0 GPA; LPN-to-BSN: TEAS exam scores, 3.0 GPA, LPN license; RN-to-BSN: associate degree in nursing, 2.8 GPA, RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020-2021): 91.3% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $69,547 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
33%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#5 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Winston-Salem State University
- Winston-Salem, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Winston-Salem State University's nursing school focuses on addressing health inequities. Students can select from traditional pre-licensure bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), accelerated BSN for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, or registered nurse (RN)-to-BSN programs.
All programs include clinical rotations in Winston-Salem, including in the downtown Innovation Quarter. Nursing coursework covers topics, such as health assessment, pharmacology for nurses, and adult health.
WSSU also offers a doctorate and a master of science in nursing degree, along with BSN bridge programs for paramedics and licensed practical nurses.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $142 per credit hour for North Carolina residents; $586 for out-of-state
- Admission Requirements: Traditional and accelerated BSN: 2.6-2.8 GPA, plus SAT or ACT, and TEAS exam scores; RN-to-BSN: RN license, 51 transferable credits from outside the nursing major
- Minimum Time Commitment: 13 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 85.71% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $62,067 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
95%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#6 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Dillard University
- New Orleans, LA
- 4 years
- Campus
Registered nurses (RNs) can earn their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees through Dillard University's RN-to-BSN hybrid program. Dillard's traditional generic BSN is available to first-year students, transfer students, or licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
Nursing core courses include adult health nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing, nursing care for childbearing families, and nursing informatics. Students can receive one-on-one mentoring from nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Dillard requires seniors to submit a comprehensive portfolio to qualify for graduation.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $18,280 per year
- Admission Requirements: BSN: 2.7 GPA (2.8 in science courses), HESI test scores, LPN license if applicable; RN-to-BSN: RN license, 2.0 GPA
- Minimum Time Commitment: Three semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021): 100% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $59,253 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Claflin University
- Orangeburg, SC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Claflin University's online bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program for registered nurses (RNs) can be completed full- or part-time. The 30-credit curriculum includes clinical rotations, and students can receive credit for experiential learning and work experience as an RN.
Claflin emphasizes fostering health equity and conducting new research to eliminate health disparities. Coursework includes health promotion across the lifespan, healthy communities, and nursing care in a multicultural society.
Claflin also offers master of science in nursing tracks.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing – RN-to-BSN
- Campus: Orangeburg, South Carolina
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $459 per credit hour
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree in nursing; "C" or higher GPA; RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: Five semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: No
Percent Online Enrollment
10%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
Hampton University
- Hampton, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Hampton University offers a pre-professional, four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) on its main campus. Students can also enroll in an online one- or two-year registered nurse (RN)-to-BSN professional nursing program.
The first two years of the pre-professional curriculum includes general education courses and nursing topics, such as introduction to the nursing profession, medical terminology, and a computations in pharmacotherapeutics lab.
The professional track and years 3-4 of the four-year BSN feature upper-level nursing courses and practicums.
HU also offers nursing doctorates and master's degrees.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Hampton, Virginia
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $26,198 per year for full-time students; $665 per credit hour for part-time learners
- Admission Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA; TEAS exam scores; RN license for RN-to-BSN track
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12-24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 90% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,859 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
11%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 The Best HBCU Nursing Programs of 2023
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Pine Bluff, AR
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers two bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs: an on-campus pre-licensure generic track and a web-based or hybrid bachelor's completion program for working registered nurses (RN-to-BSN).
Both options begin with liberal arts and science foundational courses and progress to nursing courses and practicums. Generic program topics include fundamentals of nursing theory, professional development, and nursing care of communities and populations. RN-to-BSN enrollees focus on nursing professional practice, informatics for RNs, and healthcare economics.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: On-campus: $188 per credit hour for Arkansas residents, $427 for out-of-state students; web-based: $206 per credit hour for Arkansas residents, $479 for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Generic: minimum 2.5 GPA, ACT score of 19; RN-to-BSN: associate degree or diploma in nursing; RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 56.2% first-time pass rate
Percent Online Enrollment
87%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Applying to an HBCU Nursing Program
There are more than 106 HBCUs and about 40 of those institutions have nursing programs. HBCUs began to promote the education of Black students, but today, HBCU nursing programs admit students from all racial backgrounds. Students who were not Black comprised 24% of enrollment at HBCUs as of 2020, according to the National Center of Education Statistics.
Students choose HBCU nursing programs for the lower tuition and a learning environment that confronts issues that matter to people of color (POC), especially first-generation college students.
Admission requirements vary by HBCU nursing program.
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Admission Requirements
HBCU nursing programs commonly require undergraduates to have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Undergraduate programs may require completion of prerequisite courses, such as chemistry, statistics, psychology, and human development with a minimum C grade (if not a B).
Graduate nursing programs typically require a bachelor's in nursing degree and an active RN license.
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Admission Materials
You often submit an application that includes a career goal statement and high school or college transcripts. Before starting clinical rotations, you need a background check. For graduate programs, you may need to have prior clinical nursing experience and hold an RN license.
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GPA Requirement
HBCU nursing programs —including undergraduate or graduate —commonly want at least a 3.0 GPA. More rigorous programs may prefer at least a 3.2 GPA.
Paying for HBCU Nursing Programs
College students want a financial return to their education. No college can guarantee your career success. However, HBCU nursing programs offer an affordable education, about 30% lower than non-HBCUs. This can make it easier for parents or guardians and students.
Even so, you may have difficulty paying for your nursing degree if you cannot establish residency and must pay for out-of-state tuition. Not being able to work while you study also makes the financial burden heavier.
Thanks to generous financial aid for nurses, including institutional, state, and federal aid, HBCU students graduate with less debt than students at non-HBCUs. Nursing students also have access to federal and state loans and grants, as well as nursing scholarships and grants.
What Can You Do With a Degree From an HBCU Nursing Program?
Nursing lacks diversity, but graduates of HBCU nursing programs can change that, as well as help fix the national nursing shortage. According to a 2020 study from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, minority nurses make up only 19.4% of RNs.
Students at HBCU nursing programs study a curriculum that includes minority voices, equipping them to tackle healthcare obstacles. It also helps them to develop a patient-centered practice that considers the unique challenges that POC face.
HBCU nursing programs prepare undergraduates to earn an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. Graduates can sit for the NCLEX exam to become an RN, a position that makes a mean annual salary of $82,750 as of May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Master of nursing degrees and doctorates prepare graduates to become licensed advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) specializing in specific areas of nursing. They work in acute care, neonatal units, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, and women's health. Nurse practitioners, one type of APRN, have a mean annual wage of $118,040, as the BLS reports.
Frequently Asked Questions About HBCU Nursing Programs
What are the advantages of attending an HBCU nursing program?
HBCU nursing programs offer many advantages to Black students, POC, and non-minority students. Firstly, your education at an HBCU often costs less than at a non-HBCU college. Students also discover that HBCU nursing programs foster a sense of community with diverse campusesand lessons that include minority perspectives.
Earning a degree through an online HBCU nursing program offers the opportunity to serve diverse patient populations.
What financial aid opportunities are available for students attending HBCU nursing programs?
Students attending HBCU nursing programs have the opportunity to access federal financial aid and also scholarships reserved for Black students and POC. The United Negro College Fund offers 60,000 scholarships each year to help students attend HBCUs.
Can you attend an HBCU nursing program online?
Yes, online HBCU nursing programs provide virtual classroom experiences that offer flexibility and convenience, especially for people balancing work and family lives. Online HBCU nursing programs function virtually, but students still need to complete clinical rotations in person.
In which states are HBCUs located?
HBCUs have campuses across the United States, but mostly in the South. Students can pick from HBCUs in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the Virgin Islands, and Virginia.
Page last reviewed December 1, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.
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