The Rise of HBCU Business Schools

Over the years, we have seen our HBCUs catapult our Black youth into spaces where they are prepared to be their own boss, lead a Fortune 500 company, or make an overall impact in the business world. Ranging from the bachelor’s to doctorate level, these schools are equipping students with the tools to succeed and providing real-world experience—ultimately changing the way we view leadership in industries today. Here are a few HBCUs that are giving some of these other business schools a run for their money.

Clark Atlanta University – School of Business Administration
Clark Atlanta University is the first HBCU business school in the nation and is fully accredited by AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). It was initially established in 1946 as a graduate school, but over the years, CAU has evolved its business program into three undergraduate programs and three graduate programs. With the school being located in the heart of Atlanta, the opportunities for students are endless—especially in the music and entertainment industry. In fact, Clark Atlanta has recognized this advantage and recently implemented a Sports and Entertainment concentration to give students the upper hand in an industry that’s constantly evolving. The university also made the Top 100 list for Best Business Programs in the nation this year by U.S. News & World Report.

Howard University – School of Business
Since 1970, Howard University’s School of Business has set the standard for academic excellence. With programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level, the School of Business is considered one of the best HBCU business programs in the nation. “In 2018, Bloomberg found that more than half of surveyed Howard B-school graduates had gone on to found their own companies, the highest share of any of the 126 schools in their Best B-Schools ranking.” Aside from their regular class offerings, the school also offers a global MBA certificate to receive consulting experiences in China, Africa, and the U.S. This year, their MBA program placed 44th on Fortune’s Best Business MBA Programs list—the only HBCU to make the list.

Florida A&M University – School of Business & Industry
Established in 1974 by Dr. Sybil Collins Mobley, Florida A&M’s School of Business & Industry has unique programs for both their undergraduate and graduate students. For undergrads, FAMU offers a 5-year Professional MBA program. On the graduate level, students with a degree in business have the option to take a one-year MBA program that equips them with the skills needed to obtain leadership roles in global business settings. Even with all of these programs in place, what matters most is the success rate. FAMU’s MBA program has a job placement rate of over 85%. And what about the remaining 15%? Those students go on to pursue higher education.

While these achievements are great, business education at HBCUs has yet to reach its peak when it comes to accreditation. Out of 107 HBCUs, only 23 are accredited by AACSB or ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs). Despite the low number, the success of alumni with business degrees is evident. Lip Bar CEO Melissa Butler is an alumna of Florida A&M’s business program, David Banner graduated from the College of Business at Southern University, and the list goes on. With greater investment and accreditation support, more HBCUs will have opportunities to become pipelines for jobs that can turn into fruitful careers in business.