4 HBCUs in Maryland, Which Will You Study At?

Are you thinking of attending an HBCU in Maryland? Or maybe you want to conduct further research before deciding on a college. Either way, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ll discuss the top four historically black colleges and universities in Maryland. You can then decide if one of these suits your needs well before committing to four years of your life at a specific university.

Here are the top HBCUs in Maryland, starting with Bowie State University.

Bowie State University

Bowie State University is a four-year college located in Bowie, Maryland. With a 36% acceptance rate, this college is relatively competitive. However, Bowie is a public university, ranking number one in the state with over 1,000 bachelor’s degree candidates enrolled.

Bowie University originally opened to educate free African American citizens. The first school offered education courses, and ever since 1988, there has been a steady growth in academic programs and enrollment. Students can engage in community service and pursue many STEM-related fields.

Bowie State University provides you with exceptional education while limiting how much debt you accumulate. Additionally, the facility is near major metropolitan areas. You have easy access to internships, various cultural experiences, and recreational activities.

It’s also important to note that Bowie State University is the safest college campus in Maryland and one of the fastest-growing. Bowie ranks highly in the top 25 among the nation’s historically black colleges and universities.  Bowie ensures that enrolled students succeed, providing tutoring, career development, and writing centers.

Bowie State University was founded in 1865 and is one of the oldest HBCUs in the country. The diverse campus has both faculty and staff from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. You’re able to get a high-quality and affordable education. Bowie State University offers 23 undergraduate programs alongside 19 master’s degree programs.

Students think critically and make discoveries in a school that values differences, emerging as leaders in a constantly evolving world. Bowie’s campus has plenty of research and instructional labs with classrooms equipped with the latest technology.

Not only that, but Bowie State University is scenic with seven residence halls. Students can join a club with plenty of different options or try out for a sport.

Bowie State University excels in comprehension and forming next-generation leaders. They have several opportunities to tackle real-world problems and prepare for a technology-reliant society.

Check out this video to learn more about the campus and student life.

Coppin State University

Coppin State University is a public, four-year university located in Baltimore, Maryland. As of now, there are over 400 bachelor’s degree candidates enrolled, and similar to Bowie, Coppin is more competitive, with a 36% acceptance rate.

Coppin rates highly in Human Services Administration, meaning that you can get the best health degrees from this HBCU in Maryland. Additionally, Coppin State University has high marks in health and wellness programs as well as being one of the best colleges in Maryland based on salary.

This school was named after Fanny Jackson Coppin, who made a significant difference in the African American community in her life. She was a pioneer in teacher education. After being born a slave in Washington D.C., she gained freedom and graduated.

Once Coppin accepts you into the university, you join a family dedicated to helping you thrive and transform. By attending four years at such a historical facility, you’ll make an impact as an individual, within your community, company, and even at global levels.

Coppin State University was established in 1900, inspiring students to achieve their goals ever since. You’ll be exposed to a community of people with similar roots and backgrounds. Coppin is an urban, residential liberal arts university with various academic programs in both the arts and sciences. You could also pursue a teacher education or nursing degree.

For those interested in graduate levels of education, you can earn a higher degree at Coppin State University too. Coppin has over 50 majors and nine graduate degree programs, helping students worldwide and allowing them to complete the courses based on their flexible schedules.

Take a look at this video to learn more about Coppin University’s history, and how this college has evolved over the decades.

Morgan State University

Morgan State University is a public, four-year college in Baltimore, Maryland. With a much higher acceptance rate than the latter, at a whopping 63%, you can feel confident about applying and attending. Currently, there are 1,200 bachelor’s degree candidates searching to graduate from Morgan State University.

MSU was founded in 1867 as a high research institution. The teachers instructing a study body composed of many ethnicities, races, and nationalities. Morgan State University has 140 academic programs, varying from bachelor’s to doctorates. They aim to address the needs and challenges of our modern world.

Students searching to study on an expansive campus clocking in at 185 acres should look no further. MSU has state-of-the-art facilities, and students engage in innovative teaching and learning in a safe learning environment.

Furthermore, MSU offers plenty of off-campus opportunities, and over 50,000 people graduated since 1865. Morgan State University is one of the largest and most diverse HBCUs in Maryland, and they open its doors to as many students as possible. MSU ranks 13th in the 2021 ranking of best colleges among all the other HBCUs. 

Morgan State University was originally named the Centenary Biblical Institute to Morgan College. However, in 1890, it was called Morgan State University in honor of Lyttleton F. Morgan, who was a board member that placed a large endowment to the institution. MSU values leadership, innovation, integrity, diversity, and respect. 

Morgan State University is a premier urban research university that excels in teaching, intensive research, public service, and community engagement. Teachers support, empower, and prepare high-quality, diverse graduates to lead the upcoming world. They offer innovative, inclusive, and unique educational experiences. Students engage in a comprehensive range of disciplines, pursuing research and other endeavors that remain prevalent in urban communities.

Watch the welcome video from Morgan State University for a better understanding of what this school has to offer.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a four-year, public university located in Princess Anne, Maryland. This university has 565 bachelor’s degree candidates and has an average acceptance rate of 39%.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is the state’s historically black 1890 land-grant institution with a unique purpose grounded in distinctive learning. This HBCU highlights discovery and provides engaging opportunities in the art, science, education, technology, engineering, agriculture, business, and health fields.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a student-centered facility where you can pursue a doctoral research degree. Graduates are highly valued, and the school provides individuals with a holistic, diverse, and successful learning environment that promotes growth. The University of Maryland helps students ready themselves to serve the global economy.

Additionally, they make efforts to increase access and opportunity for a broad spectrum of students, whether they’re economically or educationally disadvantaged. Low-income learners or first-generation college students can thrive at the University of Maryland, attending high-quality academic programs.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore serves ethnically and culturally diverse students who often are the first ones in their families to attend a university. Many come from different countries, looking to obtain a degree in development, agricultural, environmental sciences, or renewable energy resources.

Furthermore, this HBCU has agreements with 18 universities and research institutions in Africa, the Caribbean, and Central America, encouraging student study, faculty changes, and research abroad. Students can join an extracurricular organization out of the 60 that the university has.

This video breaks down the campus and explains more of the extensive history of the University of Maryland.

The Importance of Maryland HBCUs

Maryland HBCUs act as economic powerhouses. What does that mean? It means that Maryland communities and beyond are positively affected by the considerable economic returns yearly. People attending Maryland HBCUs both produce and consume a wide range of services. Therefore, economic activity both on and off-campus skyrockets.

In other words, more jobs, stronger growth, and thriving communities are created. The workforce will also see an influx of highly trained, success-oriented, and diverse applicants and employees. Thousands of jobs will be created. Overall, Maryland HBCs create billions of dollars economically and for the graduates’ lifetime earnings.

What Is an HBCU?

An HBCU is a source of accomplishment and represents great pride for the African American community in the entirety of the United States. Based on the Higher Education Act of 1965, an HBCU is any historically black college or university established before 1964. The main goal was and remains to educate black Americans. The Secretary of Education accredits these facilities.

HBCUs are reliable universities, progressing positively into the future and offering education to all students, no matter their race. These schools help develop skills and talents, training young people who live both domestically and internationally. They aim to create new entrepreneurs in both the public and private sectors.

Why Should You Attend an HBCU?

There are a few reasons why you should attend an HBCU as opposed to another university. HBCUs are becoming more relevant than ever and are necessary for this country’s future. Young people question the value of a college degree. With unchanging wages, increasing college tuition, and staggering debt, you might ask, is it worth it?

HBCUs provide education at a low cost. HBCUs only make up 3% of American colleges, even though there are over 100 of them scattered throughout the nation. 20% of African Americans graduate from these schools in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.

However, HBCU tuition rates are almost 30% less than others. Students obtain high education at a low cost in a stable and helpful environment.

Also, HBCUs assist students who often do not enter or complete college, such as low-income, first-generation applicants. These students are often underprepared, but HBCUs guarantee that they qualify for grants, with 70% receiving financial help. Out of the 300,000 students who attend HBCUs, 80% are African American.

That said, about 54% of African Americans between the ages of 25 and 40 have student loan debt, compared to the 39% of white Americans. HBCUs also hone in more on faith, community, and service. Churches and institutions have been the main pillars for African American communities. They create history and life values through attending both. Many iconic African American leaders and heroes of the past have attended HBCUs.

To summarize, HBCUs give students the best value, eliminating or reducing student debt. Black students will also feel more at home and perform better in a supported, safe, and diverse learning environment. Recent graduates have a higher chance to succeed, meaning the underemployment rate is also more likely to reduce.

So, HBCUs need more investment due to better academic success. HBCUs have been around for over 100 years educating minorities, providing opportunities, and creating leaders in an affordable and consistent environment.

Where Are HBCUs Located?

While there are HBCUs sprinkled throughout the U.S., the majority of these schools are found in the southern area of America. Maryland has four HBCUs that will be described later on in this article. However, other states have up to fourteen. These states include:

• Alabama
• Delaware
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Maryland, Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you learned something new after reading this article and have a better understanding of the top HBCUs in Maryland. Now that you have more knowledge under your belt, you can confidently apply or continue browsing colleges.

Remember that your budget, lifestyle, and what you want out of your college experience play a major impact on where you decide to go. If none of these Maryland colleges sparked your interest, consider other institutions in your area.