The ABCs of an HBCU

Lauren Compton

Deciding on a college can be a difficult decision for many students, and black students often struggle with the choice between historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) or a more diverse college, like VCU.

Historically black colleges and universities are defined as any black college or university with a mission to educate black students and is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. HBCUs enroll 14% of the black college students in America and make up about 3% of all institutions of higher learning.

HBCUs VS. VCU

There are six HBCUs in the state of Virginia. The Virginia Union campus is tucked away on North Lombardy Street, just blocks away from the VCU campus. The VUU student population is less than 2,000 students, and most classes are limited to between 16-20 students. In contrast, VCU boasts more than 29,000 incoming students a year, and many classes are auditorium-sized. To many HBCU students it’s the small college atmosphere and intimate classes that make going to an HBCU a positive experience.

At VUU, students also have the opportunity to study in the midst of beautifully preserved historic grounds where some of the first black students in Virginia obtained college educations. The first black governor, L. Douglas Wilder, graduated from Virginia Union, as well as New York Knicks player, Charles Oakley.

Sense of Family

Chris Martin, who attends another HBCU, Virginia State University, says HBCUs allow a unique relationship to develop between students.  “It’s like family; it’s not like someone is trying to step on the next person. It’s kind of like they are trying to help you.  They are competitive, but at the same time they are willing to lend a helping hand, if you need help in certain areas, or if you’re trying to attain certain things.”

In a world where race still matters on some level, HBCUs can give students the opportunity to create identities that are not based first on their being black, but rather on who they are as people. VCU Mass Communications Professor Dr. Clarence Thomas once attended HBCU Hampton University and recalls how attending the school taught him about black culture.

“One thing that I learned from Hampton University was there are many, many different types of African-Americans that come from all types of backgrounds. And you just enjoy and you learn those types of things about your people.”

At a university as large as VCU, it may be a little harder to find that sense of community. Transfer student Mike Greene once attended Virginia State but now calls VCU his college home.

“I find that the people here (VCU), they’re a little bit more open, I guess, being that it’s so diverse. Everybody is different and there’s much more individuality here than at Virginia State.”

HBCU Facts

Number of HBCUs in the Nation
40 Public 4-year
11 Public 2-year
49 Private 4-year
 5 Private 2-year

HBCUs in Virginia

Virginia State University
Virginia State is just 25 miles north of VCU. Originally named Virginia Normal And Collegiate Institute, Virginia State was founded in 1882 but did not open its doors until 1883 due to a heated lawsuit. To learn more, visit Virginia State University.

Virginia Union University
Founded in 1865 Virginia Union University was once the site of a slave jail. Virginia Union University is affiliated with the American Baptist Church of USA. To learn, visit Virginia Union University.