It has been estimated that the United States will need somewhere around 1 million science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals over the next 5 or so years. The country’s population is constantly becoming more diversified, this opens the door for more African Americans and people of color to prepare for those careers. Historically Black Colleges and University’s (HBCU’s) will continue to play a substantial role. Despite the fact that a large majority of African American students attend predominantly white institutions, 21 of the top 50 institutions for educating African American graduates who go on to receive their doctorates in science, math, and engineering, are HBCUs. HBCUs produce 27% of African American students with bachelor's degrees in STEM fields.
HBCUs have implemented proven practices to assist students in STEM fields to obtain rich professional experiences, research opportunities, and mentorships; navigating through courses and financial challenges, and driving students to post-baccalaureate success.
The top HBCU STEM graduates earning bachelor's degrees were determined by evaluating data published by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Here are the top 10 STEM HBCUs:
#1 - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
North Carolina A&T is the top producer of African American STEM graduates. It tops all colleges in graduating African American engineers. A&T is also one of the top 25 producers of African Americans with degrees in the physical sciences, computer science, and math; in the top 50 universities in the nation for graduating African Americans with bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences.
#2 - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida A&M has consistently been among the top 50 colleges in the country for graduating African Americans in math, engineering, computer science, physical sciences, and biological sciences. It is the 4th top HBCU for graduating African Americans with bachelor's degrees in biological sciences.
#3 - Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
Not only is Alabama A&M one of the top 50 colleges in the US for graduating African Americans with bachelor's degrees in computer science, engineering, math, and sciences, but it is also one of the top 10 HBCUs for graduating African American engineers and mathematicians.
#4 - Howard University
Howard has been at the forefront of graduating African American scientists for decades. It is one of the top 50 producers of African Americans in every area except computer science; and consistently within the top 10 in the areas of engineering, biological sciences, and physical sciences.
#5 - Jackson State University
In addition to being one of the top 25 universities in the country for graduating African Americans mathematicians and engineers, Jackson State is one of the top five colleges in the US for producing African Americans with degrees in both physical sciences and biological sciences.
#6 - Alabama State University
Alabama State is a top 25 producer of African-Americans with bachelor's degrees in computer science, physical sciences, and math; in most recent years it has become one of the top two producers of African American mathematicians.
#7 - Norfolk State University
Norfolk State has become one of the top HBCUs for graduating African Americans with bachelor's degrees in STEM fields, this is largely due to the college being one of the top colleges in the US for producing African American students with degrees in math and physical sciences.
#8 - Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical University
Prairie View is one of the top 50 colleges in the nation for graduating African Americans with bachelor's degrees in both biological sciences and physical sciences as well as math. It is also one of the top three colleges in the nation for producing African American engineers.
#9 - Morgan State University
Morgan State is one of the top 50 colleges for African Americans in the country in the areas of biological sciences, computer science, and physical sciences. But it stands out as the top producer of African American engineers in the state of Maryland and one of the top three or four colleges in the nation for graduating African American engineers.
#10 - Fort Valley State University
In addition to being one of the top 50 colleges in the nation for graduating African Americans with bachelor's degrees in physical sciences, biological sciences, and computer sciences, Fort Valley State has distinguished itself by being one of the top colleges in the nation for graduating African American mathematicians.
Credit: Leslie Jones, The Hundred-Seven, Top STEM HBCUs
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