Head of the Class: Top Historically Black Colleges and Universities

With Spelman at no. 1, the annual rankings are in.

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/08/Celebs-08.16-08.31/082311-celebs-college-towns-spelman.jpg

1 / 18

1. Spelman College - Did your school make the cut? Check out the top 15 historically Black colleges and universities from U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings. — Britt Middleton Location: Atlanta, Georgia Tuition: $23,794 Total enrollment: 2,170 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 37.6 percent Average freshman retention rate:  88 percent 6-year graduation rate: 77 percent  (Photo: REUTERS/Tami Chappell /Landov)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/041/Sports/040612-sports-howard-university-reinstated.jpg

2 / 18

2. Howard University - Location: Washington, D.C.Tuition: $22,683Total enrollment: 10,583 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 10,583 Average freshman retention rate: 83 percent 6-year graduation rate: 63 percent(Photo: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2011/08/National/082211-national-dreams-not-realized-higher-education.jpg

3 / 18

3. Morehouse College - Location: Atlanta, Georgia Tuition (2011-2012): $23,792 Total enrollment: 2,441 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 62.7 percent Average freshman retention rate: 83 percent 6-year graduation rate: 55(Photo: Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images)

4. Hampton University - Location: Hampton, Virginia Tuition: $19,738 Total enrollment: 5,221 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 37.1 percent Average freshman retention rate: 78 percent 6-year graduation rate: 53 percent  (Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Bermuda Department of Tourism)

4 / 18

4. Hampton University - Location: Hampton, Virginia Tuition: $19,738 Total enrollment: 5,221 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 37.1 percent Average freshman retention rate: 78 percent 6-year graduation rate: 53 percent (Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Bermuda Department of Tourism)

5. Fisk University - Location: Nashville, Tennessee  Tuition: $20,391 Total enrollment: 533 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 100 percent Average freshman retention rate: 73 percent  6-year graduation rate: 42  (Photo: AP Photo/The Tennessean, Dipti Vaidya)

5 / 18

5. Fisk University - Location: Nashville, Tennessee Tuition: $20,391 Total enrollment: 533 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 100 percent Average freshman retention rate: 73 percent 6-year graduation rate: 42 (Photo: AP Photo/The Tennessean, Dipti Vaidya)

ADVERTISEMENT
6. Xavier University of Louisiana  - Location: New Orleans, Louisiana  Tuition: $18,700 Total enrollment: 3,399 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 64.1 percent Average freshman retention rate: 69 percent 6-year graduation rate: 53 percent  (Photo: Courtesy of Xavier University of Louisiana)

6 / 18

6. Xavier University of Louisiana  - Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Tuition: $18,700 Total enrollment: 3,399 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 64.1 percent Average freshman retention rate: 69 percent 6-year graduation rate: 53 percent (Photo: Courtesy of Xavier University of Louisiana)

Tuskegee University to Expand - The Department of Veterans Affairs will donate 65 unused acres and about 20 buildings to Tuskegee University in Alabama. While the property transfer is still awaiting congressional approval, the university says it will use the land to build more classrooms, dorms and research labs among other facilities. (Photo: WikiCommons)

7 / 18

7. Tuskegee University - Location: Tuskegee, Alabama Tuition:  $18,900 Total enrollment: 3,152 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 64.5 percent Average freshman retention rate: 69 percent 6-year graduation rate: 44 percent(Photo: WikiCommons)

Claflin University Is on Top - South Carolina State Band to perform at top-ranking football game, North Carolina A&T student becomes first HBCU student to win Irish scholarship, plus more HBCU news. — Dominique ZonyééThe National Urban League named Claflin University the “University of the Year” at the fourth annual Black Executive Exchange Program Leadership Conference. Two of Clafin’s students were chosen to receive a National Urban League internship while two other Clafin students were one of three HBCU scholars awarded $5,000 Dr. Jerry Bartow Scholarships.(Photo: Claflin University)

8 / 18

8. Claflin University - Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina Tuition: $14,498 Total enrollment: 1,961   Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 39.1 percent Average freshman retention rate: 72 percent 6-year graduation rate: 40(Photo: Courtesy of Claflin University)

Dillard Opens Its Doors to Brazilian Teachers - Dillard University’s Center for Intensive English Language is the first language program at an HBCU to welcome 24 educators from Brazil, who will study English as a second language. The summer program is part of the Professional Development Program for Teachers of English Language in the USA, which aims to send more than 100,000 Brazilian students to study abroad. (Photo: WikiCommons)

9 / 18

9. Dillard University - Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Tuition: $14,770 Total enrollment: 1,249 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 48.8 percent Average freshman retention rate: 68 percent 6-year graduation rate: 24 percent(Photo: WikiCommons)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/01/National-01-15-01-31/012312-national-famu-hazing-marching-band.jpg

10 / 18

10. Florida A&M University - Location: Tallahassee, Florida Tuition: in-state: $5,187, out-of-state: $17,127 Total enrollment: 13,204 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 48.4 percent Average freshman retention rate: 80 percent 6-year graduation rate: 40 percent(Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)

ADVERTISEMENT
North Carolina A&T Wins Honda Battle of the Bands - North Carolina A&T made history at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the 12th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands when the crowd selected the winners via text message. This year’s competitors included other HBCUs Winston-Salem State, South Carolina State, Morehouse College, Bethune-Cookman and more.(Photo: Courtesy of North Carolina A&T State University)

11 / 18

11. North Carolina A&T State University - Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Tuition: in-state: $5,199, out-of-state: $15,797 Total enrollment: 10,881 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 66.4 percent Average freshman retention rate: 75 percent 6-year graduation rate: 43 percent (Photo: Courtesy of North Carolina A&T State University)

12. North Carolina Central University - Location: Durham, North Carolina Tuition: $4,801 in-state; $15,374 out-of-state (2011-12) Total enrollment: 8,359 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 51.8 percent Average freshman retention rate: 72 percent 6-year graduation rate: 42 percent  (Photo: Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/ MCT /LANDOV)

12 / 18

12. North Carolina Central University - Location: Durham, North Carolina Tuition: $4,801 in-state; $15,374 out-of-state (2011-12) Total enrollment: 8,359 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 51.8 percent Average freshman retention rate: 72 percent 6-year graduation rate: 42 percent (Photo: Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/ MCT /LANDOV)

Delaware State University Partners With a French Institution  - Delaware State University (DSU) struck a deal with the University of Versailles in France to create faculty and student exchange opportunities. “This partnership will offer DSU faculty, students and staff a new perspective filled with excellent opportunities while our counterparts will have, in DSU, a new solid academic partner in the USA,” said Noureddine Melikechi, the vice president of research, innovation and economic development at DSU. (Photo: REUTERS/Tim Shaffer /Landov)

13 / 18

13. Delaware State University - Location: Dover, Delaware Tuition: $7,056 in-state;  $15,052 out-of-state (2011-12) Total enrollment: 4,154 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 42.7 percent Average freshman retention rate: 65 percent 6-year graduation rate: 36 percent(Photo: REUTERS/Tim Shaffer /Landov)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2013/04/National-04-01-04-15/040213-national-hbcu-review-South-Carolina-State-university-campus-leroy-hall.jpg

14 / 18

14. South Carolina State University - Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina Tuition: in-state: $9,258; $18,170 out-of-state (2011-12) Total enrollment: 3,744 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 95.8 percent Average freshman retention rate: 65 percent 6-year graduation rate: 35 percent(Photo: WikiCommons) 

Photo By Photo: WikiCommons

15. Bennett College (Tie) - Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Tuition: $16,794 Total enrollment: 736 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 62.5 percent  Average freshman retention rate: 74 percent  6-year graduation rate: 39 percent(Photo: Courtesy of Bennett College)

15 / 18

15. Bennett College (Tie) - Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Tuition: $16,794 Total enrollment: 736 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 62.5 percent Average freshman retention rate: 74 percent 6-year graduation rate: 39 percent(Photo: Courtesy of Bennett College)

ADVERTISEMENT
#17: Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia - 2011-2012 Tuition and Fees: $18,911Enrollment: 3,267Admissions application deadline: June 1Acceptance rate: 69.4%(Photo: REUTERS/Tami Chappell)

16 / 18

15. Clark Atlanta University (Tie) - Location: Atlanta, Georgia Tuition: $18,912 Total enrollment: 3,843 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 71.7 percent Average freshman retention rate: 65 percent 6-year graduation rate: 41 percent(Photo: Tami Chappell/Reuters)

#13: Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, North Carolina - 2011-2012 Tuition and Fees: $17,368Enrollment: 1,331Admissions application deadline: March 15Acceptance rate: 25.0%(Photo: Charlotte Observer/MCT/Landov)

17 / 18

15. Johnson C. Smith University (Tie) - Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Tuition: $18,236 Total enrollment: 1,543 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 28.9 percent Average freshman retention rate: 69 percent 6-year graduation rate: 37 percent(Photo: Charlotte Observer/MCT /Landov)

15. Tougaloo College (Tie) - Location: Tougaloo, Mississippi Tuition: $10,210  Total enrollment: 945 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 37.3 percent Average freshman retention rate: 74 percent 6-year graduation rate: 48 percent(Photo: Wikicommons)

18 / 18

15. Tougaloo College (Tie) - Location: Tougaloo, Mississippi Tuition: $10,210 Total enrollment: 945 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 37.3 percent Average freshman retention rate: 74 percent 6-year graduation rate: 48 percent(Photo: Wikicommons)