Key takeaways:
- Black Ivy League schools are acclaimed HBCUs that are highly selective and offer outstanding academic programs to their students.
- There is no official list of Black Ivy institutions as there is with the Ivy Leagues.
- Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Hampton University are a few examples of schools often referred to as Black Ivies.
Flickr user LevoisJ
Black Ivy League schools are top-rated Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). While eight institutions make up the Ivy League – Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University – there is no single list that designates the Black Ivies. Instead, organizations are able to create their own lists of HBCUs that they feel offer quality academic programs. In this article, we dive into the schools often considered to be “Black Ivies.”
What is a Black Ivy?
A “Black Ivy” refers to an HBCU that offers outstanding academic programs and attracts top students. They tend to have lower acceptance rates compared to other schools, including other HBCUs.
They’re not affiliated with the Ivy League schools and there is no official consensus on the list. A 1984 book by Jacqueline Fleming titled Blacks in College listed the following schools as Black Ivies:
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Fisk University
- Hampton University
- Howard University
- Morehouse College
- Spelman College
- Tuskegee University
Which colleges are the Black Ivy League schools?
Below, we’ve included all of the schools on Jacqueline Fleming’s 1984 Black Ivies list as well as colleges and universities that are regularly named to College Raptor’s Best HBCUs rankings (note: these are listed alphabetically, not by rank).
DILLARD UNIVERSITY
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Enrollment: 1,122
- Acceptance rate: 40.5%
Affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church, Dillard University awards up to Master’s degrees. There are over 20 undergraduate programs to choose from, with many students studying Biology, Criminal Justice, and Public Health. Dillard opened in 1930, but it was a merger of older schools dating back to 1869.
FISK UNIVERSITY
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Enrollment: 1,005
- Acceptance rate: 57.9%
Fisk University has more than 20 undergraduate and graduate areas of study available and offers Master’s and Doctoral degree programs through its partnership with Vanderbilt University. The campus’s Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s home to buildings dating back to the late 1800’s.
FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY
- Location: Tallahassee, FL
- Enrollment: 9,359
- Acceptance rate: 20.6%
Often referred to as Florida A&M University or FAMU, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is the only public historically black university in the state. It has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an 89% first year retention rate. The Rattlers and Lady Rattlers compete in the NCAA Division I, specifically the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
- Location: Hampton, VA
- Enrollment: 4,122
- Acceptance rate: 62.3%
Hampton University has nearly 100 programs available to its students, though Biology, Psychology, and Business Administration are the most popular. Many return after completing their first year – the school has an 84% first year retention rate. You can find the 314-acre campus on the Hampton River.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
- Location: Washington, DC
- Enrollment: 14,745
- Acceptance rate: 41.3%
Howard University is the only HBCU to have a Carnegie classification of “R1: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity,” which it achieved in early 2025. The school has 14 schools and colleges, including the first medical college at an HBCU, and over 140 different programs. Over 165 Fulbright recipients, 4 Rhodes Scholars, and 12 Truman Scholars are alumni.
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
- Location: Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
- Enrollment: 1,676
- Acceptance rate: 65.7%
Lincoln University opened as Ashmun Institute in 1854, receiving its current name in 1866 in honor of Abraham Lincoln. Alumni include Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, Cab Calloway, and Christian Fleetwood. The school’s motto is “If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
MOREHOUSE COLLEGE
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Enrollment: 2,847
- Acceptance rate: 44%
Awarding up to Bachelor’s degrees, Morehouse College has more than 30 majors available to its students, with many studying Business Administration and Management. It’s the largest men’s liberal arts college in the country. Just some former students you might recognize include Martin Luther King Jr, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, and Raphael Warnock.
SPELMAN COLLEGE
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Enrollment: 2,712
- Acceptance rate: 24.9%
Extremely selective, Spelman College has an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a 94% first year retention rate, and 76% six year graduation rate. It’s an all-women’s school with more than 30 available majors and over 85 clubs and organizations. Psychology and Political Science are popular areas of study.
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Tuskegee, AL
- Enrollment: 2,846
- Acceptance rate: 31.4%
Tuskegee University has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 70% first year retention rate. Animal Sciences, Biology, and Registered Nursing are all popular majors. It’s the only HBCU to have ROTC programs for all US military branches and offer a doctoral degree through its College of Veterinary Medicine.
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Enrollment: 3,278
- Acceptance rate: 69%
A private institution, Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) is the only Catholic HBCU. It was founded in 1925 by Katharine Drexel, a nun who was canonized as a saint in 2000. More than 70% of the student body are women. XULA offers up to a Doctorate, and many undergraduates are studying Biology.
Many of these institutions are highly selective. If you’re interested in attending, you’ll need a strong application with a high ACT or SAT score and GPA. Learn more about your admission chances; use College Match today to start exploring these schools and others.
