HBCU Nursing Programs: What They Offer and Where to Start

Representation in nursing is still a work in progress. About two-thirds of U.S. nurses are White, while only about 1 in 10 are Black. HBCUs have helped change that by educating generations of nurses who go on to care for diverse communities. Today, many of these schools offer programs ranging from associate degrees to doctoral studies.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Maggie Aime, RN, MSN, CPC

HealthcareMedical CodingNursing

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

HealthcareOnline Learning

Updated: 03/24/2026

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What to Look For
Top Schools
How to Choose
FAQs

When prospective nursing students ask me how to choose a nursing program, I tell them to look at factors like accreditation and academic strength, but also think about where they’ll feel supported and like they belong. As a Black nurse and nurse educator, I encourage aspiring nurses to put historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) on their list.

These schools have a long history of preparing nurses and leaders while building a strong community and high expectations in the classroom and in clinical training. Here’s a look at five well-known HBCU nursing programs to help you start your search.

What to Look for in an HBCU Nursing Program

When evaluating HBCU nursing programs, start with the basics you would use to evaluate any other nursing school. Two important places to get started are making sure the program is accredited and that it has strong NCLEX pass rates.

You’ll also want to confirm that the degree you want is offered, review the curriculum, as it tells you a lot about the education you’ll receive, and look at clinical placement opportunities. Consider whether they partner with hospitals where you might want to work, and whether the program offers the format you want, either traditional, online, or hybrid. Cost and financial aid availability are also important factors to review early.

When you’re looking at HBCUs, a few other things are worth paying attention to, including:

Faculty mentorship
How connected the alumni network is
Whether the school’s mission resonates with you

5 Popular HBCU Nursing Programs

To help you start your search, here are five well-known HBCU nursing programs. Each one brings something different to the table, so take a look and see what resonates.

Howard University

Located in Washington, D.C., Howard University’s Division of Nursing has been preparing nurses to care for diverse and underserved communities for decades. You’ll gain clinical experience across major hospitals and community settings in one of the country’s most varied healthcare environments.

If you’re a working nurse, the fully online graduate programs, offered in both full-time and part-time formats, can make advancing your education more doable. This university’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Degrees Offered:

BSN (Traditional, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN)
MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Post-Master’s APRN Certificate (FNP)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Generic and Psychiatric-Mental Health tracks)

On-Campus Requirements: Undergraduate programs include in-person classes and clinical rotations in healthcare settings. Graduate and RN-to-BSN students complete clinical hours locally in their area of residence.

Florida A&M University (FAMU)

In Tallahassee, FAMU’s School of Nursing is home to the oldest continuously operating baccalaureate nursing program at an HBCU in the country. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the program has been preparing nurses to care for diverse communities since 1904.

If you’re already working as a nurse, flexible options like the online RN-to-BSN fast track can help you move forward without stepping away from your job. Several MSN tracks are also offered fully online, including Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner programs.

Degrees Offered:

BSN
RN-to-BSN (Fast Track, online)
MSN
MSN, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
MSN, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
Post-Master’s Certificates

On-Campus Requirements: The four-year BSN program includes in-person classes and clinical rotations at local hospitals and clinics. RN-to-BSN and most MSN tracks offer online coursework with clinical hours completed in your area.

Fayetteville State University (FSU)

Ranked among the top nursing programs in North Carolina and the Southeast, FSU’s School of Nursing has a strong reputation with results to match, including a 95% NCLEX pass rate. If you’re interested in specialized training, the school was also the first HBCU to host a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program.

There, you’ll find flexible options, such as online RN-to-BSN and MSN tracks, which can make advancing your education more realistic if you’ll be working while in school. FSU’s nursing programs are CCNE-accredited.

Degrees Offered:

BSN (Traditional)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
RN-to-BSN (Online)
MSN, Patient Safety and Quality (Online)
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Certificate

On-Campus Requirements: The BSN and ABSN programs require in-person classes and clinical rotations. For working nurses, the online RN-to-BSN and MSN options let you complete projects or clinical requirements in your local area.

Albany State University (ASU)

At ASU’s Department of Nursing, the focus is on getting you into the workforce and leadership, and you’ll find options that work with your schedule, including traditional, evening, hybrid, and bridge tracks.

The university, located in Georgia, is particularly known for its flexible “working professional” tracks. Whether you’re coming in as a first-time college student, a working LPN or paramedic looking to bridge, or an RN ready to finish your BSN online, there’s a track built for you. All programs are accredited by the ACEN.

Degrees Offered:

ASN (Traditional, Evening, Hybrid, Healthcare Professional-to-RN Bridge)
BSN (Generic 2+2, Accelerated)
RN-to-BSN (Online)
MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nursing Informatics)
Post-Master’s Certificates

On-Campus Requirements: The ASN and BSN programs generally require in-person labs and clinicals at local Georgia hospitals. The RN-to-BSN and all MSN tracks are offered fully online.

Southern University

Southern University’s School of Nursing is one of the largest producers of African American nurses in the country. The university’s “Men of SUSON” initiative has also made it a national leader in bringing more Black men into the profession.

Through partnerships with major hospitals and health systems, you’ll get hands-on clinical experience caring for patients with a wide range of health needs. The BSN, MSN, and DNP programs are accredited by the CCNE.

Degrees Offered:

BSN
MSN (Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education)
PhD in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

On-Campus Requirements: BSN students complete in-person classes and clinical rotations in the Baton Rouge area. Graduate students complete clinical or research requirements through approved sites in their communities.

How to Choose the Right HBCU Nursing Program for You

Once you have a shortlist after considering the basics mentioned above, check:

Admission requirements
Prerequisite timelines
How competitive each program is

Request information directly from the schools that interest you, and attend an info session to get a feel for how responsive and helpful the school is. Ask questions about class size and student support services.

I also recommend talking to a current student or alum. They can give you insights that a website likely won’t. Consider small details like commute, housing, or relocation costs.

Then take a breath and picture yourself in the program’s learning environment and ask whether it matches the kind of nurse and leader you want to become.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardest HBCU to get into?

Of the programs we’ve covered here, Howard University is generally considered the most selective, though competitiveness can change from year to year and depends on the applicant pool.

In my experience, nursing programs tend to be competitive because class sizes are often small and clinical spots are limited. If a school is high on your list, apply early and consider a backup option.

Are HBCU nursing programs open to students of all races?

Yes. HBCUs were founded to educate Black students during a time when they were excluded elsewhere, but today these schools welcome students of every racial and ethnic background.

Nursing programs at HBCUs reflect that openness, and many intentionally recruit diverse cohorts who want to learn in culturally grounded environments. If you’re drawn to the mission, the community, or the educational approach, you’ll find that HBCU nursing programs are fully inclusive.

Are there scholarships or financial aid specifically for students in HBCU nursing programs?

Yes. Many HBCUs also have their own endowed nursing funds. Start by contacting the financial aid office at each school on your list, since available funding varies by program and new opportunities come up regularly.

I also encourage students to apply for federal options, like the HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship, which offers specialized scholarships for those committed to working in underserved areas or in facilities with a critical shortage of nurses.

Do HBCU nursing programs have strong NCLEX pass rates?

Many do, and some consistently outperform state and national averages. Fayetteville State University, for example, reports a 95% first-time pass rate, well above the North Carolina state average.

Pass rates vary year to year, so when evaluating programs, ask for the most recent numbers directly from the school. You can also look up NCLEX pass rates through the Board of Nursing website in the state where the program is located, which publishes official annual reports.

Can I pursue graduate nursing education at an HBCU?

Yes. Several HBCUs offer MSN, DNP, and PhD programs in specialties like Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, and Psychiatric Mental Health.

Of the five schools covered above, all offer at least one graduate track, and many of those programs are available fully online for working nurses.

HBCU Nursing Programs: What They Offer and Where to Start

What to Look for in an HBCU Nursing Program

5 Popular HBCU Nursing Programs

Howard University

Florida A&M University (FAMU)

Fayetteville State University (FSU)

Albany State University (ASU)

Southern University

How to Choose the Right HBCU Nursing Program for You

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardest HBCU to get into?

Are HBCU nursing programs open to students of all races?

Are there scholarships or financial aid specifically for students in HBCU nursing programs?

Do HBCU nursing programs have strong NCLEX pass rates?

Can I pursue graduate nursing education at an HBCU?

Maggie Aime, RN, MSN, CPC AUTHOR

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR