Tennessee Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
Originally published February 1, 2023
The State of Tennessee is home to seven of the more than 100 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) across the country. They include American Baptist College, Fisk University, Knoxville College, Lane College, LeMoyne Owen College, Meharry Medical College, and Tennessee State University.
Before the Civil Rights Act, African-Americans had difficulty pursuing higher education, so historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were founded to provide them that opportunity. You may learn more about the HBCUs in Tennessee. The schools are public or private, and students do not have to be of African-American decent to apply to attend.
*Some of the Tennessee HBCUs are Tennessee Promise schools.
SCHOOL: American Baptist College – Four-year, private
FOUNDED: 1924
LOCATION: Nashville, Tennessee
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: National Baptist Convention
SPORTS: N/A
SCHOLARSHIPS: Learn more
TOUR: Learn more
SCHOOL: Fisk University – Four-year, private
FOUNDED: 1866
LOCATION: Nashville, Tennessee
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: United Church of Christ
SPORTS: GCAC, NAIA, basketball, cheer, cross country, golf, gymnastics, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, soccer, and volleyball
SCHOLARSHIPS: Learn more
TOUR: In-person and virtual
SCHOOL: Knoxville College – Four-year, private (working towards reaccreditation)
FOUNDED: December 16, 1875
LOCATION: Knoxville
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Presbyterian Church
SCHOOL: Lane College* – Four-year, private
FOUNDED: 1882
LOCATION: Jackson, Tennessee
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
SPORTS: NCAA, SIAC, baseball, basketball, cross country, football, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball
FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS: Learn more
TOUR: In-person
SCHOOL: LeMoyne Owen College* – Four-year, private
FOUNDED: 1862
LOCATION: Memphis, Tennessee
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: United Church of Christ
SPORTS: NCAA, SIAC, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball
SCHOLARSHIPS: Learn more
TOUR: In-person
SCHOOL: Meharry Medical College – Four-year, private
FOUNDED: 1876
LOCATION: Nashville, Tennessee
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: United Methodist Church
SPORTS: N/A
SCHOLARSHIPS: Learn more
TOUR: In-person not available at this time.
SCHOOL: Tennessee State University* – Four-year, public
FOUNDED: June 19, 1912
LOCATION: Nashville, Tennessee (Middle Tennessee)
SPORTS: NCAA, basketball, cross country, football, golf, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball
FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS: Learn more
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