Top 5 HBCU Nursing Programs of 2026

Are you overwhelmed because you don’t know which HBCUs have the best nursing programs? Here are the top HBCU nursing programs.

 

 

Today there are several Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) with nursing programs, but Florida A&M University School of Nursing, established in 1904, is the oldest HBCU nursing program in the nation.

HBCU nursing programs were established to educate African American students who were not welcome at other universities. These HBCU programs continue to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for all students entering the nursing field.

I have narrowed down the list of HBCU nursing programs and have chosen the best HBCU nursing programs based on the degrees offered, certification pass rate, and institutional scholarships.

 

Top 5 HBCU Nursing Programs

 

Delaware State University

Location:  Dover, Delaware

Type:  Public

BS Degree:  Yes

Master’s Degree:  Yes

Perks:  Accelerated RN to MSN dual program, 100% Job Placement Rate in 2022/2021, and the Net Price Calculator is listed on the Nursing Home Page

https://wchbs.desu.edu/departments/nursing

 

 

Southern University and A&M College

Location:  Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Type:  Public

BS Degree:  Yes

Master’s Degree:  Yes

Doctoral Degree:  Yes

Perks:  Jag Mobile (clinic on wheels), 100% Pass Rate in Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam 2020, and one of the largest producers of African American nurses in the nation

http://www.subr.edu/page/4912

RELATED POST: So You Want to Be a Nurse? Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Program in 2026

 

Prairie View A&M University

Location:  Prairie View, Texas

Type:  Public

BS Degree:  Yes

Master’s Degree:  Yes

Doctoral Degree:  Yes

Perks:  6 Student organizations in the College of Nursing, Fall and Spring Admission, and scholarships are listed on the nursing website

https://www.pvamu.edu/nursing/

 

 

Alcorn State University

Location:  Lorman, Mississippi

Type:  Public

BS Degree:  Yes

Master’s Degree:  Yes

Doctoral Degree:  Yes

Perks:  Strong Certification Pass Rate and 100% Job Placement Rate in 2021/2020

https://www.alcorn.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/school-of-nursing

Related Post: 23 Nursing Scholarships with Summer Deadlines You Can Not Ignore

 

Winston-Salem State University

Location:  Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Type:  Public

BS Degree:  Yes

Master’s Degree:  Yes

Doctoral Degree:  Yes

Perks:  WSSU Mobil Clinic to serve the community and a virtual hospital where students can practice realistic health at no risk in a clinical settings

https://www.wssu.edu/admissions/programs/nursing.html

 

Full List of HBCU Nursing Programs

 

Alabama

Bishop State Community College (Mobile, AL)

https://www.bishop.edu/programs/health-science-professions/nursing

 

Drake State Community College (Huntsville, AL)

https://drakestate.edu/career-pathways-programs/health-sciences/nursing/

 

Gadsden State Community College (Gadsden, AL)

https://www.gadsdenstate.edu/programs-of-study/nursing.cms

 

Lawson State Community College (Bessemer, AL)

https://www.lawsonstate.edu/programs/lscc_programs/health_professions_programs/nursing_programs_associate_degree_nursing_and_practical_nursing.aspx

 

Oakwood University (Huntsville, AL)

https://oakwood.edu/academic-experience/school-of-nursing-health-professions/nursing/

 

Shelton State Community College (Tuscaloosa, AL)

https://www.sheltonstate.edu/instruction-workforce-development/health-services-programs/associate-degree-nursing/

 

Trenholm State Technical College (Montgomery, AL)

https://www.trenholmstate.edu/programs/health-sciences-division/registered-nursing/

 

Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL)

https://www.tuskegee.edu/programs-courses/colleges-schools/sonah/nursing

 

Arkansas

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff, AR)

http://www.uapb.edu/academics/school_of_arts_sciences/nursing.aspx

 

Delaware

Delaware State University (Dover, DE)

https://wchbs.desu.edu/

 

Florida

Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, FL)

https://www.cookman.edu/conh/index.html

 

Florida A & M University (Tallahassee, AL)

https://nursing.famu.edu/

 

Georgia

Albany State University (Albany, GA)

https://www.asurams.edu/academic-affairs/dchealthprof/nursing/index.php

 

 

Kentucky

Kentucky State University (Frankfort, KY)

https://www.kysu.edu/academics/college-acs/school-of-nursing/index.php

 

Louisiana

Dillard University (New Orleans, LA)

https://www.dillard.edu/nursing/

 

Grambling State University (Grambling, LA)

https://www.gram.edu/academics/majors/pro-grad-studies/nursing/

 

Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, LA)

https://www.subr.edu/index.cfm?action=pagebuilder&pageID=66

 

Maryland

Bowie State University (Bowie, MD)

https://www.bowiestate.edu/academics/colleges/college-of-professional-studies/departments/nursing/

 

Coppin State University (Baltimore, MD)

https://www.coppin.edu/son

 

Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD)

https://www.morgan.edu/schp/nursing

 

 

Mississippi

Alcorn State University (Lorman, MS)

https://www.alcorn.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/school-of-nursing

 

Coahoma Community College (Clarksdale, MS)

http://www.coahomacc.edu/programs/health-sciences/adn/index.html

 

Hinds Community College (Raymond, MS)

https://www.hindscc.edu/pathways/health-sciences

 

Missouri

Lincoln University of Missouri (Jefferson City, MO)

https://www.lincolnu.edu/school-of-nursing/

 

North Carolina

Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, NC)

https://www.uncfsu.edu/academics/colleges-schools-and-departments/lloyd-college-of-health-science-and-technology/school-of-nursing

 

North Carolina AT&T State University (Greensboro, NC)

https://www.ncat.edu/chhs/departments/the-school-of-nursing/index.php

 

North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC)

https://www.nccu.edu/chs/nursing

 

Winston-Salem State University (Winston-Salem, NC)

https://www.wssu.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/school-of-health-sciences/division-of-nursing/index.html

 

Oklahoma

Langston University (Langston, OK)

https://www.langston.edu/

 

Pennsylvania

Lincoln University (Chester County, PA)

https://www.lincoln.edu/departments/nursing-department

 

 

South Carolina

Claflin University (Orangeburg, SC)

https://www.claflin.edu/academics-research/schools-departments/school-of-natural-sciences-and-mathematics/department-of-nursing—rn-to-bsn-in-nursing

 

Denmark Technical College (Denmark, SC)

https://www.denmarktech.edu/?s=nursing

 

Tennessee

Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN)

https://www.tnstate.edu/nursing/

 

Texas

Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, TX)

https://www.pvamu.edu/nursing/

 

St. Philip’s College (San Antonio, TX)

https://www.alamo.edu/spc/academics/programs/nursing-education/vocational-nursing/

 

Virginia

Hampton University (Hampton, VA)

https://home.hamptonu.edu/nursing/

 

Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA)

https://www.nsu.edu/nursing

 

Virginia State University (Petersburg, VA)

https://www.vsu.edu/cnhs/departments/nursing/

 

Washington, DC

Howard University (Washington, DC)

https://cnahs.howard.edu/departments/nursing

 

University of District of Columbia (Washington, DC)

https://www.udc.edu/causes/nursing/

 

West Virginia

Bluefield State College (Bluefield, WV)

https://bluefieldstate.edu/academics/schools/nursing-allied-health

 

West Virginia State University (Institute, WV)

https://www.wvstateu.edu/academics/academic-colleges/college-of-professional-studies/nursing.aspx

 

 

 

Did you know there are more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States? Most HBCUs are located in the southern states and offer a wide range of academic programs, with over 40 HBCUs providing nursing programs.

HBCU nursing programs are known for providing students with a supportive learning environment, with dedicated professors who offer hands-on guidance and a curriculum shaped by Black American experiences.

HBCUs have a long history of producing successful nurses who have made significant contributions to their communities and the healthcare industry.

One of the most valuable benefits of attending an HBCU nursing school is the curriculum, which prepares nurses to serve diverse patient populations. This is especially important when there is a shortage of underrepresented groups in the medical field.

In addition to the rigorous curriculum, HBCU nursing programs offer a supportive learning environment where students can benefit from mentoring services, clubs, and hands-on professors.

A supportive environment can be important for students who feel isolated or marginalized in other academic settings.

HBCU nursing programs have a proven track record of producing successful nurses at all levels, from undergraduate to Ph.D. Many HBCU nursing graduates become leaders in their field, with high pass rates on licensing exams.

After learning all about HBCU nursing program options, have you decided which HBCU nursing programs are at the top of your list? No worries about your HBCU nursing program; you will receive a challenging education, extensive clinical experience, and a supportive learning environment.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the advantages of attending an HBCU nursing program?

HBCUs offer smaller class sizes and a strong sense of community. In addition, attending an HBCU nursing program provides students with a supportive and inclusive environment that cultivates academic and personal growth.

 

Do HBCUs have good nursing programs?

HBCUs have a long history of providing highly skilled nurses for the workforce. These programs also provide a supportive environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

 

RELATED POST: 9 Steps For Choosing the Best Nursing Program

 

What is the best HBCU to attend for nursing?

There are several factors in choosing the best HBCU nursing programs. I have listed Alcorn State University, Delaware State University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University, and Winston-Salem State University as the best HBCU nursing programs. However, the best nursing program for YOU depends on your personal preference. Do you want to be a LPN or RN, do you want to attend school in a warmer climate, do you want online classes? These are questions you should consider as you are perusing HBCU nursing programs.

 

Can you attend an HBCU nursing program online?

There are some HBCU nursing schools that offer online options for students who prefer a more flexible learning environment.

 

What is the pass rate for the HBCU NCLEX?

Each nursing program has its own pass rate which varies depending on the school and program. As you are researching the various nursing schools look for the NCLEX success and retention rates on the nursing program page or you check with the states’ nursing certification board.