HBCUs in Florida: Everything You Need to Know
Florida has four historically Black colleges and universities — and every single one of them has a story that goes far beyond enrollment numbers and tuition rates. Here is the complete, updated guide to all four.
Here is a number that should mean something to you: there are 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Florida — a state of 22 million people with one of the largest Black populations in the country — has four of them.
Four schools. That is it. And yet those four institutions have produced some of the most influential Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, doctors, attorneys, and educators in Florida’s history. The impact these schools have had on Black communities across this state — and honestly, on the country — is not proportional to their number. It is far larger.
Whether you are a prospective student deciding where to attend, a parent researching options for your child, an HBCU graduate looking to stay connected to a Black professional network, or simply someone who wants to understand these institutions and why they still matter — this guide is for you. We cover all four Florida HBCUs with current information, what makes each one distinct, and how the broader Black professional community in Florida is connected to the legacy these schools built.
Florida’s Four HBCUs — Who They Are and What Makes Each One Different
People often ask “which HBCU should I attend in Florida?” as if there is a single answer. There is not — because each of these four schools serves a different part of the state, has a different character, and excels in different areas. Here is what you actually need to know about each one.
FAMU is the flagship. It is Florida’s only public HBCU, one of the largest HBCUs in the country by enrollment, and has been ranked the number one public HBCU in America by U.S. News & World Report for seven consecutive years as of 2026. That streak is not accidental — it reflects consistent investment in student outcomes, research infrastructure, and a campus culture that takes Black excellence seriously.
What makes FAMU stand out beyond the rankings: it is a doctoral research institution recognized by the National Science Foundation as one of the top HBCUs in the country for research and development. Nearly a third of incoming students declare majors in STEAM fields. The School of Business and Industry and the College of Pharmacy are nationally regarded. And the “FAMUly” — the culture and community on campus — is something that FAMU graduates talk about for the rest of their careers.
The in-state tuition of roughly $5,785 per year makes it one of the most affordable quality universities in Florida. And with 80% of first-year students receiving need-based financial aid, access is a real priority here, not just a talking point. FAMU also qualifies for Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship.
If you want to understand Bethune-Cookman University, you need to start with its founder. Mary McLeod Bethune built this school in 1904 starting with five students, faith, and almost no money — in an era when Black women were not expected to build anything at all, let alone a university. She went on to become one of the most influential figures in 20th century American history and an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Her vision is still embedded in every part of how B-CU operates.
Located in Daytona Beach — about 60 miles east of Orlando — B-CU is a private university with degree programs across arts and humanities, business and entrepreneurship, nursing and health sciences, and sciences and engineering. It also offers online graduate programs in criminal justice administration and Christian ministry for working adults who need flexibility.
The campus culture at B-CU is shaped by that founding story — students who choose B-CU often describe a deep sense of purpose, a feeling that they are part of something that was fought for. That is not nothing. In fact, for a lot of students, that is exactly what they are looking for.
Edward Waters University holds a distinction that no other Florida school can claim: it is the oldest HBCU in Florida, founded in 1866 — just one year after the Civil War ended. It was established by the African Methodist Episcopal Church as the Brown Theological Institute and later became the first institution of higher learning for Black Americans in Florida. That is a legacy that runs deep.
Located in Jacksonville, EWU is a private university with a growing portfolio of programs including business administration, cybersecurity, education, and criminal justice. Online degrees are available for working adults, and the university has made deliberate investments in expanding access and affordability in recent years.
EWU is the smallest of Florida’s four HBCUs, which is also its advantage for many students. Smaller class sizes, more direct access to faculty, and a tight-knit community make it an appealing choice for students who want a genuine relationship with their professors and peers — not a lecture hall with 300 people.
Florida Memorial University is the only HBCU in South Florida — and for the millions of Black residents and the enormous Caribbean and Afro-Latino community in the Miami metropolitan area, that makes it one of the most culturally significant educational institutions in the state.
Founded in 1879 and located in Miami Gardens, FMU has a story of remarkable resilience — the university relocated multiple times through its history before establishing its permanent home in Miami Gardens. Today it offers undergraduate programs spanning communications, chemistry, social work, cybersecurity, and aviation management, among others. The graduate program includes a fully online MBA that can be completed in one calendar year — a practical option for working professionals in South Florida who want to advance without putting their careers on pause.
FMU’s location in South Florida gives its students access to one of the most economically dynamic and culturally rich metropolitan areas in the country. For students with ties to Caribbean, Haitian, and Latin American communities, FMU often feels like home in a way that schools in North Florida simply do not.
Why HBCUs Still Matter — and Why That Question Is Worth Asking
Some people ask whether HBCUs are still relevant in 2026. It is a fair question, and the answer is yes — but not for the reasons people usually assume.
The original reason HBCUs were founded was necessity. Black Americans were legally excluded from traditionally white institutions, and HBCUs were built to ensure that exclusion did not become a permanent ceiling. That legal barrier is gone. What remains — and what HBCUs continue to address in ways that most predominantly white institutions do not — is the environment.
Research consistently shows that HBCU graduates report higher rates of well-being, stronger sense of belonging, and greater levels of engagement with their communities compared to Black graduates of predominantly white institutions. FAMU’s performance on the U.S. News Social Mobility Index — which measures how effectively a university elevates low-income students into higher earning potential — reflects this in data: FAMU consistently ranks among the best in the nation on this measure, not just among HBCUs but among all universities.
HBCUs also produce a disproportionate share of Black professionals in fields that are still heavily underrepresented. The pipeline from Florida’s four HBCUs into law, medicine, business, education, and public service is real and measurable. The Black doctors, attorneys, financial advisors, and real estate professionals you find in Florida’s communities — many of them are HBCU graduates, and many of those are graduates of these four schools specifically.
HBCU Graduates and the Black Professional Network in Florida
Here is why this matters for what we do at Black Owned Florida.
The directory at blackownedflorida.com is full of Black professionals across Florida — real estate agents, mortgage brokers, attorneys, doctors, financial advisors, tax preparers, insurance agents, and more. A significant portion of those professionals are HBCU graduates. Some graduated from FAMU, some from Bethune-Cookman, some from institutions outside Florida. Many came back to build their careers and their practices here.
When you choose a Black-owned professional through our directory, you are often supporting the result of an HBCU education. That creates a direct, real connection between investing in Black education and investing in the Black professional ecosystem that education produces.
And for HBCU students and recent graduates: Florida has a growing Black professional community that needs your talent. Whether you are a FAMU pre-med student considering where to practice, a Bethune-Cookman business graduate looking for a Black-owned financial advisor to help you start your practice, or an EWU law graduate building your client base in Jacksonville — the Black Owned Florida directory exists to connect you to the people and resources in this community.
Looking for a Black professional in Florida? Whether you need a real estate agent, mortgage broker, attorney, doctor, or financial advisor — the Black Owned Florida directory is the most complete statewide resource for finding Black-owned businesses and professionals across every major Florida city.
Black Owned Florida — The Directory Behind the Community
Founded in 2020, blackownedflorida.com is a statewide directory of Black-owned businesses and professionals in Florida — covering real estate, mortgage lending, healthcare, law, finance, insurance, beauty, food, and more. We exist to make it easy to find Black professionals across Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and statewide. Free to search. Free to list.
Questions About Florida HBCUs
The questions people are actually searching — answered straight.
Find Black Professionals Across Florida
Whether you are an HBCU student, a recent graduate building your network, or a family looking for trusted Black professionals — the Black Owned Florida directory is your starting point.
Search the Directory →Free to search · Free to list · Florida-specific · Founded 2020
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