Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the primary mission to educate Black Americans. They originated primarily after the Civil War when educational opportunities for African Americans were extremely limited due to segregation and discrimination. HBCUs were created to provide access to higher education for Black students and have been crucial in educating generations of African Americans, including producing a significant number of Black professionals, leaders, and academics. Today, HBCUs serve students of all races, though they continue to provide particular benefits to students of color. About 9% of African-American college students attend HBCUs, which confer a significant portion of degrees earned by Black students, especially in STEM fields. HBCUs are located mostly in the southern U.S. but also in other states and territories, including Pennsylvania and the U.S. Virgin Islands. They have diverse enrollments and play an important role in supporting low-income students through programs like Pell Grants.
