While many of the nation’s most selective universities have kept their undergraduate enrollment largely static in recent years, numerous historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are expanding rapidly, fueled by increased demand and ambitions to enhance their academic and social impact.

Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that roughly two dozen HBCUs experienced double-digit growth in undergraduate enrollment between 2019 and 2024. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) in Greensboro, for example, expanded its undergraduate body by about 13 percent during this period, now serving approximately 12,500 students. In contrast, elite institutions commonly grouped with the Ivy League—including MIT, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and Stanford University—grew their undergraduate populations by just 4.5 percent on average, with some schools experiencing enrollment declines. Nearly 700 private colleges nationwide recorded diminished enrollments during the same timeframe, reflecting broader demographic trends.

Leaders at HBCUs view growth as crucial to providing educational opportunities that serve as platforms for upward social mobility. James Martin, chancellor of A&T, emphasized the institution’s commitment to expanding access. To accommodate rising student numbers, Martin has implemented strategies such as encouraging accelerated graduation timelines and allowing students to earn college credits in high school. Additionally, A&T broke ground in 2024 on its first new dormitory in two decades and increased its enrollment by 750 students in 2025.

Other prominent HBCUs are following similar trajectories. Spelman College in Atlanta, a well-known historically Black women’s college, has increased enrollment by more than 20 percent from 2020 to 2025 while becoming more selective—the institution’s acceptance rate dropped from about 50 percent to 19 percent in recent years. The college also introduced an online certificate program aimed at working adults. Rosalind Brewer, Spelman’s interim president, highlighted the college’s commitment to its mission of empowering Black women amid challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the federal level.

Howard University in Washington, D.C.—alma mater of Vice President Kamala Harris—also saw its undergraduate population swell by nearly 25 percent, reaching 11,084 students between 2021 and 2025. Keyana Scales, Howard’s head of enrollment management, noted that prospective students recognize the value and outcomes associated with a Howard education.

Experts studying higher education note key contrasts between HBCUs and their Ivy League counterparts. Marybeth Gasman, a professor at Rutgers University who researches HBCUs, described these institutions as “inclusive” in contrast to the “exclusive” reputation of Ivy League schools. While the Ivies often highlight low acceptance rates as markers of prestige, many HBCUs distinguish themselves by delivering strong returns on educational investment. They typically maintain lower costs for students and effectively prepare graduates for high-demand fields such as STEM, business, nursing, and engineering.

The recent surge in HBCU enrollment partly reflects national conversations following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, which heightened attention to systemic racism and highlighted HBCUs as supportive environments for Black students. This period also saw an influx of significant philanthropic funding into such institutions, including hundreds of millions of dollars in unrestricted donations from billionaire MacKenzie Scott.

Looking ahead, A&T plans to build on its historical strengths in agriculture and engineering to become a leader in research at the intersection of health, food, and human-centered artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the university aims to expand programs targeting adult and lifelong learners through online and hybrid models.

As elite universities maintain relatively steady enrollment to preserve selectivity and educational quality, HBCUs are pursuing expansion as a strategic response to growing demand and evolving workforce needs. The growth of institutions like A&T signals an ongoing transformation in higher education access and outcomes, with important implications for social mobility and workforce diversity.