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Â鶹´«Ã½ University Ranked a U.S. News and World Report Top 10 Best HBCU for 13th Consecutive Year

Who says the Number 13 is unlucky? Not Â鶹´«Ã½ University. For the 13th consecutive year, Â鶹´«Ã½ is ranked among the U.S. News and World Report’s Top 10 Best HBCUs. In the 2024 poll, the University retained its No. 9 ranking from 2023.

Founded in 1869, Â鶹´«Ã½ is South Carolina’s oldest Historically Black College/University and the first to admit all students regardless of ethnic origin, gender, race, or religion.

“To be a U.S. News and World Report’s Top 10 HBCU for 13 consecutive years secures Â鶹´«Ã½’s place as a North Star in the constellation of the nation’s leading HBCUs,” said Â鶹´«Ã½ President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack.  “Our rankings are a testament to the collective commitment of our world-class faculty, talented administrators and staff, and leal and loyal alumni.  These rankings also reaffirm that Â鶹´«Ã½ provides an exemplary academic experience that elevates and transforms our high-achieving scholars into globally engaged visionary leaders.”

Â鶹´«Ã½ made a noticeable improvement in the Top Performers on Social Mobility category as it moved up to No. 9 after being ranked at No. 20 in 2023. 

The Social Mobility category is a measurement for colleges and universities that enroll and graduate a significant number of students who receive Pell Grants. 

At Â鶹´«Ã½, these students earn degrees that prepare them for professional careers or to continue their education in graduate school.

Â鶹´«Ã½ was recently named 2023 Best College by Money.com. The rating offers a practical analysis of more than 700 four-year colleges using data in three main categories: quality, affordability, and student outcomes.   Â鶹´«Ã½'s annual alumni giving percentage of more than 40 percent is the highest for all HBCUs. 

The University has a retention rate of 80 percent.

Â鶹´«Ã½'s other accomplishments during the past year include:

• Received a reaffirmation of accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) following a rigorous evaluation of the University's on-campus and online academic programs. SACSCOC is the body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.
• Ranked third on the U.S. News and World Report Short List of Top 10 HBCUs with the highest four-year graduation rates among first-time, full-time students who started in fall 2014. 
• Launched Online Master of Science Degree in Biotechnology to Mitigate Climate Change.
• Launched Online Master of Science in Nursing Program and celebrated the program's inaugural graduates.
• Invested $670,000 to renovate and install more than 50 new ClearTouch Interactive Displays, and state-of-the-art cameras, microphones, and speakers to expand teaching and learning technology throughout the campus.
• Â鶹´«Ã½ received more than $17.4 million to support the construction of a new Innovation Center for Biotechnology and Cybersecurity. 
• The construction of the University's new ultra-modern Student Center is nearly completed, and the scheduled opening is later this fall. Features of the facility will include a movie theater, esports lounge, a food court, and other amenities.