You might know a little bit about HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Like that they were founded in the early 19th century to provide educational opportunities to Black Americans, who for generations sustained great inequalities including the pursuit of a college education.

But did you also know that 75 percent of Black people with doctorate degrees earned their undergrad degree from an HBCU? 

True.

Here are some impressive, but often unknown, facts and statistics about HBCUs, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

• More than 80 percent of all Black Americans with degrees in medicine and dentistry graduated from Howard University and Meharry Medical College.
• 75 percent of Black people with doctorate degrees earned their undergrad degree from an HBCU.
• 75 percent of Black officers in the armed forces earned their undergrad degree from an HBCU.
• 80 percent of Black federal judges earned their undergrad degree from an HBCU.
• HBCUs remain leading institutions in granting baccalaureate degrees to Black students in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences and life sciences (STEM fields).
• HBCUs hold a high ranking in the proportion of graduates who go on to complete graduate and professional training. 
• 50 percent of Black faculty at traditionally white research universities received their degrees from an HBCU. 
• HBCUs enroll 20 percent of Black undergraduate students and award 40 percent of baccalaureate degrees earned by Black college students.

Want to be a part of those incredible stats?

Head over to Niche’s list of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities to get your college search underway.

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