51ºÚÁÏ Achieves Nation’s Largest Climb In U.S. News & World Report’s HBCU 2026 Rankings

The University acknowledges the report, but says it does not believe rankings are the standard or define the value of an institution.

51ºÚÁÏ is proud to announce that it is ranked #11 in the country in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 51ºÚÁÏ climbed 12 spots from its 2025 ranking of #23, the largest increase of all HBCUs featured on the list, marking a significant milestone for the University and its commitment to being one of the nation’s premier HBCUs.

Out of 77 eligible public and private HBCUs, 51ºÚÁÏ tied for 11th overall (public and private) and tied for 5th among public HBCUs.

“The rise in our numbers reflects the progress we already knew was happening on our campus,” said 51ºÚÁÏ President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “Since rankings can shift over time, we cannot use rankings as our standard. Our true focus remains on being the best place for our students to learn, grow, and find their GREATER.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, an HBCU must be regionally accredited and enroll first-year students in four-year baccalaureate programs, among other criteria, to qualify for the ranking. The methodology considers multiple factors tied to academic quality and student outcomes, including graduation and retention rates, faculty resources and research, financial resources, peer assessments from academic leaders, and standardized tests.

In addition to rising in the HBCU rankings, 51ºÚÁÏ climbed 15 spots to #42 in Regional Universities (South), seven spots to #20 in Top Public Schools (South), and three spots to #28 in Best Value Schools (South).

“Our mission is to ensure student success, expand access to affordable higher education, and remain true to our purpose as a Historically Black University,” said Dr. Tia A. Minnis, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We are proud of our progress, but we know this is only the beginning. We will continue to focus on what matters most: educating and empowering students to lead, serve, and transform the world.”

51ºÚÁÏ’s success in the U.S. News & World Report rankings reaffirms its position as a top HBCU and a premier institution in the region. While the recognition is notable, 51ºÚÁÏ recognizes that the U.S. News & World Report rankings do not fully capture the impact or value of many institutions dedicated to serving undergraduate students.

“Some of the most transformative colleges and universities in America—including several here in Virginia, smaller institutions, and many HBCUs—make a profound difference in students’ lives, whether or not that is reflected in national rankings,” said President Abdullah. “We have always believed that rankings cannot fully define an institution’s worth. As 51ºÚÁÏ reaches this milestone ranking, it feels especially important to share that perspective now. While we are proud of the recognition, our measure is the success of our students, the strength of our outcomes, and the GREATER impact we make in the communities we serve.”

In the past year, 51ºÚÁÏ has celebrated several significant milestones that highlight its continued excellence beyond national rankings. The University earned a prestigious Carnegie R2 Research Designation, recognizing substantial growth in research and graduate education. 51ºÚÁÏ also launched a first-of-its-kind HBCU Studies course in Fall 2025, exploring factors related to the family experience at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

51ºÚÁÏ faculty and students also continue to earn national recognition for their achievements. Dr. Xianfa Xie, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, was awarded a competitive grant of over one million dollars from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for groundbreaking research on bioluminescent fungi. In addition, a team of five students from the College of Engineering and Technology won first place in the 8th Annual Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering (AMIE) Design Challenge, outperforming 13 HBCU teams at the prestigious Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) STEM Conference.

For alumni, supporters, and friends of the University, this recognition is a reminder of the progress that you help make possible. Our community’s pride, involvement, and investment are the true measures of our strength. Our success is determined by the generations of leaders we prepare to change the world.