Best HBCU MBA Programs

Earn an MBA from an HBCU to advance your career in a supportive, inclusive environment. Explore the top 12 MBA HBCU programs.

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There is a noticeable lack of diversity in corporate leadership, which can be traced in part back to the lack of diversity in higher education. In 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that for the past decade Black Americans had made up less than 10% of MBA students. Since 2009, only about 8% of Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) test-takers have been Black, according to a 2019 report by the Graduate Management Admission Council.

Fortunately, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) exist to address these disparities. Explore our list of the top 12 HBCU MBA programs.

The Top 12 HBCU MBA Programs

FAMU's MBA program provides flexibility through its online format. This program boasts an 85% job placement rate, and 15% of graduates pursue doctoral degrees.

Online MBA students pay an average net price of $12,903 at FAMU. So once you graduate, you can secure your dream upper-management job without drowning in student debt.

Tuition covers all textbooks and course materials (e-books), a laptop for each student during the first semester, and a short-term international residency. During their residencies, students travel to places like Brazil, Chile, and China to interact with executives from multinational corporations.

North Carolina A&T State University's MBA program prepares students to thrive in the competitive global business landscape. This program is budget-friendly, costing students a net average of $9,541.

Programmatically accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), this MBA program allows students to specialize in one of the following areas:

  • Accounting
  • General management
  • Human resource management
  • Supply chain management

No matter what specialization you choose, this program is designed to give you direct and transferable skills so you can excel in your chosen field.

Howard University - Washington, DC

Howard University is known for its distinguished MBA program. Full-time and fully online, this program provides flexibility for professionals with busy lives.

As a student here, your learning will take an applied approach that teaches you how to lead, manage, and network in real-world business settings.

The program is specially designed for early- to mid-career entrepreneurs and business leaders who work in private, public, or nonprofit sectors. The coursework consists of 48 credit hours: 11 core courses and five electives. These include:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Data analytics
  • Statistics and business analytics
  • Global management consulting
  • Managerial accounting
  • Marketing management
  • Strategic management

Fayetteville State University - Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University's MBA program offers the most affordable MBA in the UNC System at an average net price of $7,016. Programmatically accredited by the AACSB, Fayetteville's MBA program's core curriculum consists of 27 credit hours as well as between 9-12 elective credit hours.

Enroll here, and you can use your elective hours to learn a specialization in one of the program's 11 concentrations. These include:

  • Health informatics
  • Finance
  • Digital enterprise and cloud management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business intelligence and data analytics
  • Marketing
  • Supply chain management

Hampton University - Hampton, VA

Hampton University's MBA program centers on innovation and continuous improvement. Designed to prepare students to meet the rapidly changing global markets, this two-year graduate program allows you to earn your degree in 36 academic credit hours while keeping your full-time career.

The coursework emphasizes general management and includes both theoretical management concepts with practice applications. You'll learn the components of managerial decision-making, gaining a unique perspective on how business operates in social, political, and economic institutions.

North Carolina Central University's MBA program advances careers by helping students refine their business expertise. Students can also build the capacity to earn bigger salaries through enhanced skill-building.

In addition to the MBA degree, North Carolina Central University offers two joint degrees:

  • Master of business administration/juris doctor (MBA/JD)
  • Master of business administration/master of information science (MBA/MIS)

Programmatically accredited by the AACSB, this graduate program is an average net price of $13,324. Prior to graduation, students will have completed the five following learning objectives and outcomes:

  • Ethics
  • Globalization
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Team effectiveness

Winston-Salem State University - Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem State University's MBA program is designed for working professionals. Classes are offered online and in the evenings to provide flexibility for busy parents and professionals. The coursework includes:

  • Supply chain management
  • Organizational behavior
  • Economics of strategic behavior
  • Global marketing

You can expect to pay a net price around $11,868 to earn your MBA from Winston-Salem State University. The program also equips students with additional advanced skills that employers look for when hiring corporate leaders.

Programmatically accredited by the AACSB, the MBA program at the College of Business at Delaware State University is a great option for students aspiring to rise in the ranks.

As an MBA student here, you can choose from a variety of concentrations designed to give you business management expertise. The program's average net price of $14,464 means you can earn a quality education without risking your financial goals.

Classes take place during an eight-week term. Students meet once per week between Monday and Thursday and take weekend classes once per week on either Friday or Saturday. Graduates of Delaware State's program often go on to become leaders in their chosen industries.

Prairie View A&M University - Prairie View, TX

Uniquely, Prairie View A&M University offers two programs students: MBA and executive MBA.

The difference between the two is that the executive MBA program is a fast-paced, highly structured program that involves Saturday hybrid courses.

The traditional MBA program offers fully online and evening or part-time programs. You can choose to learn remotely, on campus, or through a hybrid format. In addition to the required core classes, students can enroll in elective courses to deepen their knowledge in the specialized areas that interest them.

Enrollees can expect to pay an average net price of $13,794.

Southern University and A&M College is home to an evening MBA program designed to prepare students for global career challenges. The Southern Univesity MBA program (SUMBA) earned international accreditation in 2007 from AACSB.

As a graduate student in this program, you'll pay around $16,518 for a quality education. Your educational experience will be tailored to help you meet your unique professional and academic goals.

Taught by internationally renowned faculty, the classes are small and filled with intellectually-driven students from a variety of economic, educational, ethnic, social, and geographic backgrounds. Once you graduate you'll be prepared to make positive contributions to public and private sectors.

Bowie State University offers an MBA program that teaches effective business leadership through innovative management strategies and critical thinking. So students learn how to take smart risks.

Learning outcomes include experiential learning that deepens students' understanding of key business concepts. Students also receive guidance and support from faculty with decades of experience and expertise in business ownership, finance, and management.

Enrollees in this MBA program pay an average net price of $14,322.

Tailored to the unique needs of each student, this program's small classes enable students to create meaningful relationships that last beyond coursework.

Albany State University's MBA program provides quality, real-world graduate education for business professionals. This program is designed for those who want to advance to middle- and upper-level management positions. Albany's MBA program guides students through the following learning objectives:

  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Managerial knowledge
  • Business analytics
  • Ethical practice

Students here pay an average net price of $13,678. As an Albany graduate student, you can gain an exceptional education in a supportive, inclusive environment that helps you carve a path to a successful future.

How to Choose an MBA Program

When applying to MBA programs, consider the variety of factors that come with higher education. These include cost, flexibility, location, job placement rates, curriculum relevance, location — anything that impacts your lifestyle.

  1. 1

    Cost and Affordability

    Assess and compare each school's tuition fees, keeping in mind fees for transportation, books, and other learning materials. Ideally, you'll apply to schools that charge lower tuition rates. In any case, financial aid such as scholarships, fellowships, and loans can offset these costs. Students should also apply for scholarships through the National Black MBA Association.
  2. 2

    Schedule Flexibility

    Whether you intend to maintain a full- or part-time job while you learn, it's important to consider schedule flexibility. If you have professional or family obligations, consider MBA programs that offer online, hybrid, and part-time options.
  3. 3

    Location

    The location of each university influences networking opportunities, access to internships, industry connections, costs, and job prospects. Also, cultural and social environments differ between regions and can play a role in your learning experience.
  4. 4

    Job Placement Rates

    Job placement rates represent the quality of each MBA program. High job placement rates, for example, suggest that a program can adequately prepare you for the increasingly competitive job market.
  5. 5

    Curriculum Relevance

    When selecting MBA programs, check to see if their courses match your career goals. If they don't, the school is not the right fit. A relevant curriculum can lead you directly to your dream job.

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