In the United States, the average amount of student loan debt is $39,591, a price tag that has many students asking if higher education is really worth it. This number is even higher for Black students, with the average African American bachelor’s degree holder having $52,000 in student debt.
Though Black students are increasingly questioning the value of college , there are several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) where alumni see higher median salaries than other Black graduates in the same state, according to recent data from OnlineU, a higher education resource for aspiring students.
Famous for their rich culture, historic significance and family-like campus community, some HBCUs have significantly lower tuition rates than other four-year institutions. Through grants, scholarships, and other financial aid resources, HBCUs are often able to better help their students with college costs.
OnlineU identified that Xavier University, in New Orleans, Louisiana, offers the highest financial payoff for Black graduates. The median salary for XULA graduates is $52,582 compared to the $36,962 median salary for other Black graduates with the same level of education in Louisiana, a $15,619 difference.
OnlineU also notes regional differences and market disparities as a key factor in the salaries of Black students.
“Comparing median earnings at HBCUs to other Black graduates in the state helps to highlight the value each college provides to the communities they serve, and also accounts for racial inequities in the labor market that negatively impact salaries for Black college graduates,” said author Taylor Nichols, in the report. “Accounting for the location of the school is also important given most HBCUs are located in southern states where median earnings are lower overall.”
Based on the findings, these are the top 10 HBCUs with the highest payoff for black students:
1. Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Median Salary: $52,582
Median Salary for other Black grads: $36,962
Financial Payoff: $15,619
2. Spelman College
Atlanta, Georgia
Median Salary: $49,625
Median Salary for other Black grads: $40,346
Financial Payoff: $9,279
3. Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia
Median Salary: $47,197
Median Salary for other Black grads: $43,180
Financial Payoff: $4,016
4. Morehouse College
Atlanta, Georgia
Median Salary: $44,135
Median Salary for other Black grads: $40,346
Financial Payoff: $3,789
5. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, Florida
Median Salary: $39,700
Median Salary for other Black grads: $36,074
Financial Payoff: $3,626
6. Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee
Median Salary: $37,272
Median Salary for other Black grads: $34,039
Financial Payoff: $3,232
7. Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee
Median Salary: $36,955
Median Salary for other Black grads: $34,039
Financial Payoff: $2,916
8. Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama
Median Salary: $37,483
Median Salary for other Black grads: $36,003
Financial Payoff: $1,480
9. Alcorn State University
Alcorn, Mississippi
Median Salary: $32,837
Median Salary for other Black grads: $32,385
Financial Payoff: $452
10. Dillard University
