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Top 25 HBCUs in the Nation Ranked by US News

It’s that time of year again. The U.S. News & World Report has released its annual College Rankings lists. Included in these lists is the Top 25 HBCUs in the Nation Rankings for 2013. HBCUs are compared against one another, based on the publication’s ranking methodology. The ranking data includes enrollment, retention, graduation rate, college admission test scores, and class size. There were 80 HBCUs in total that were analyzed in this comparison. Only 39 HBCUs made the actual ranking list, all of which are currently part of the 2013 Best Colleges rankings. The remaining schools were unranked.

As an HBCU Alum, it’s nice to see my alma mater in the ranking. Many current and former students will see their universities and claim bragging rights, and rightfully so. For college bound high school students, these type of lists shouldn’t carry a lot of weight. There are so many great HBCUs that did not make the list. Ultimately, students should choose a college that is the right fit for them based on academic, social, and financial factors. Don’t depend on a list for answers. Start by connecting with the alumni of your potential colleges, both locally and on social media. The next step is to visit the college, talk to the faculty, staff and students. Be sure to stop by the cafeteria too.

// RANK	// UNIVERSITY	// LOCATION
1	Spelman College	Atlanta, GA
2	Howard University	Washington, DC
3	Morehouse College	Atlanta, GA
4	Hampton University	Hampton, VA
5	Fisk University	Nashville, TN
6	Xavier University of Louisiana	New Orleans, LA
7	Tuskegee University	Tuskegee, AL
8	Claflin University	Orangeburg, SC
9	Dillard University	New Orleans, LA
10	Florida A&M University	Tallahassee, FL
11	North Carolina A&T State University	Greensboro, NC
12	North Carolina Central University	Durham, NC
13	Delaware State University	Dover, DE
14	South Carolina State University	Orangeburg, SC
15	Bennett College	Greensboro, NC
16	Clark Atlanta University	Atlanta, GA
17	Johnson C. Smith University	Charlotte, NC
18	Tougaloo College	Tougaloo, MS
19	Tennessee State University	Nashville, TN
20	Elizabeth City State University	Elizabeth City, NC
21	Morgan State University	Baltimore, MD
22	Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University	Normal, AL
23	Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem, NC
24	Oakwood University	Huntsville, AL
25	Lincoln University	Lincoln University, PA

Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2013 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Ranking. For the full list of HBCU rankings and all other lists visit: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings.