TEXAS HBCUS Listing

There are nine HBCUS in Texas

Alphabetical Listing

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1. Huston-Tillotson University (Austin)

2. Jarvis Christian College (Hawkins)
3. Paul Quinn College (Dallas)
4. Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View)
5. Southwestern Christian College (Terrell)
6. St. Phillip’s College (San Antonio)
7. Texas College (Tyler)
8. Texas Southern University (Houston)
9. Wiley College (Marshall)

There was a time when black students in Texas weren’t allowed to go to predominantly white institutions. In response to this, Paul Quinn College, the first HBCU in Texas was established in 1872.

There are currently nine HBCUS in Texas with all of them on the east side of the state. Some famous graduates of Texas HBCUS include Megan Thee Stallion and Michael Strahan (Texas Southern).

1. Huston-Tillotson University (HTU), located in Austin, Texas, was founded in 1875. Prior to being named Huston-Tillotson University it was named Huston-Tillotson College, Samuel Houston College and Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute. Huston-Tillotson has a $1.5 million endowment and has 1,160 students enrolled. HTU’s colors are maroon and gold and their nickname is The Rams.
2. Jarvis Christian College is nestled in the heart of the Piney Woods of East Texas. Jarvis Christian College (JCC) is a small, private, historically black college that has been making a big impact since its founding in 1912. With a mission to provide a transformative educational experience that empowers students to become leaders and change-makers in their communities, JCC offers a diverse range of academic programs in fields such as education, business, natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Through its commitment to service, JCC prepares its students to make a positive impact on the world, with a focus on social justice, sustainability, and civic engagement. With a tight-knit community and a supportive learning environment, JCC is a hidden gem in the world of higher education, producing graduates who go on to make a difference in their fields and in the world at large.
3. Paul Quinn College (PQC) is a private, liberal arts institution located in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1872 by a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church preachers, PQC is the oldest HBCU west of the Mississippi River. Paul Quinn College is one of only ten colleges in the United States that operates on a work college model. This means that all students are required to work at least ten hours a week in various campus jobs to help cover their tuition and other expenses. In 2010, Paul Quinn College transformed its football field into a working farm. The program was initiated by the school’s president, Michael Sorrell, as a way to address issues of food insecurity in the surrounding community. The farm now produces fresh produce that is sold to local residents, restaurants, and grocery stores. Paul Quinn College is committed to promoting entrepreneurship among its students. The school’s business program offers a unique “Edu-preneurship®” curriculum that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience in starting and running a business. PQC is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and offers intercollegiate sports programs in basketball, cross-country, track and field, and volleyball. Paul Quinn College has produced several notable alumni, including former U.S. Congressman Alan Wheat, former Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins, and Grammy-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper.
4. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is located in Prairie View, Texas. PVAMU was founded in 1876 as the Alta Vista Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth. Prairie View A&M University is a land-grant institution, which means it was established under the Morrill Act of 1862 to provide education in agriculture, science, and engineering. PVAMU is home to the world-renowned “Marching Storm” marching band, which has performed at prestigious events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rose Bowl Parade, and the Super Bowl. Prairie View has a partnership with NASA and is the only HBCU in the country to have a research center located on a NASA facility. The university’s Cooperative Research Center for Minorities in Engineering and Sciences conducts research in areas such as renewable energy, materials science, and aerospace engineering. PVAMU has produced several grads including U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, former NFL player and coach Gene Upshaw, and Grammy-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams. Prairie View has over 9,000 students.
5. Southwestern Christian College (SWCC) was estabished in 1948 in Terrell, Texas. SWCC is a private HBCU that was originally named Southern Bible Institute. SWCC became accredited in 1973. SWCC participates in volleyball, basketball, and track. The mascot is the Ram and the colors are white and blue.
6. St. Phillip’s College is the only HBCU in San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1898, St. Phillip’s is the westernmost HBCU in the United States. St. Phillip’s is open admission and offers over 200 internet classes.
7. Texas College was founded in 1894. Their model is ‘Give The People Light, and They Will Find Their Way.’ They have a $3.2 million endowment, 972 students and their mascot is the Steers. Texas College’s official colors are purple and gold. Texas College has all of the divine nine organizations except for Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
8. Texas Southern University (TSU) is the alma mater of Barbara Jordan, Megan Thee Stallion and Michael Strahan. Texas Southern University became famous in 1976 when it hosted the first televised debate between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. The debate was moderated by Barbara Walters and drew a record-breaking audience of over 90 million viewers. TSU is home to one of the best law schools in the state, Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The school is named after the first African American Supreme Court Justice and produces top-notch lawyers who go on to fight for justice in all corners of the country. Texas Southern University boasts an impressive athletics program, with several record-breaking athletes to its name. Michael Strahan, a former NFL player and host of Good Morning America, played football for TSU, and Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis is also an alumnus. TSU is a research powerhouse, with cutting-edge research programs in areas such as biotechnology, environmental science, and urban planning. The university is home to several research centers and institutes that are at the forefront of innovation and discovery. TSU has hosted several U.S. Presidents on its campus, including John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Bill Clinton.
9. Wiley College is a private HBCU located in Marshall, Texas. It was established in 1873. One of the most notable accomplishments of Wiley College is its debate team, which became famous for defeating the University of Southern California’s debate team in 1935. The story of the team was depicted in the movie “The Great Debaters,” which starred Denzel Washington. Wiley College’s campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with several buildings dating back to the 19th century. The campus is a beautiful example of late Victorian architecture and includes buildings such as the Administration Building and the Chapel. Wiley College has produced several distinguished alumni, including Dr. Hycel Taylor, who was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Texas, and Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, who is the senior pastor of the Oakwood University Church and director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry.

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What Is An HBCU?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUS) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African American community.

Texas HBCUS (Oldest to Newest)

Paul Quinn College

The first HBCU established in Texas was Paul Quinn College (PQC). PQC is a private HBCU in Dallas, Texas. It was founded in 1872 by a group of Black ministers and originally operated as a prep school. In 1881, the school was chartered as a college and began offering undergraduate degrees.

PQC offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as professional development and continuing education programs.

Some of PQC’s famous graduates include Dick Campbell, Andy Cooper, Mims Hackett, Christopher Saunders, Toni Rose and Korey Williams.

Huston-Tillotson University

Huston-Tillotson University (HTU) is a private, historically black university located in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1881 by the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church as a co-educational institution for African Americans.

HTU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, nursing, and the humanities. The university is known for its commitment to providing a high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds and for its emphasis on community service and leadership development.

Some of HTU’s famous graduates include Dr Herman A Barnett, Maceo Bowie, Bobby Bradford, Dr June H Brewer, Bert Collins, Juanita Craft, Dr Karl E Downs, Maud A B Fuller, Ron Givens, James A Harris, Robert E Hayes, Dr Zan Wesley Holmes, Joe Leonard Jr, Azie Taylor Morton, Anthony Tony Morris, Volma Overton, Robert G Stanton, Cecil Williams and Joyce Yerwood.

Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is a public, historically black university located in Prairie View, Texas. It was founded in 1876 as a college for African Americans and is a member of the Texas A&M University System.

PVAMU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as agriculture, engineering, nursing, and the social sciences. The university is known for its strong programs in agriculture and engineering, and has a reputation for producing high-quality graduates who are well-prepared for careers in these fields.

Some of the famous graduates of PVAMU include Hise Austin, Sebastian Barrie, Arthur Bryant, Clora Bryant, Zelmo Beaty, Julius W Becton Jr, Dr J Don Boney, Charlie Brackins, David L Brewer III, Charles Brown, Emanuel Cleaver, Cecil Cooper, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Clem Daniels, Bertha Des Verney, Terry Ellis, Adrian Hamilton, Ken Houston, Louise Daniel Hutchinson, Lenwood Johnson, Jim Kearney, Kase Lawal, Loni Love, Jermaine McGhee, Sidney A McPhee, E Walter Miles, Jim Mitchell, Thomas Monroe, Frederick D Patterson, Ervin Perry, Inez Beverly Prosser, Dewey Redman, Alvin Reed, Clay Smothers, Quinton Spears, James H Stewart, Otis Taylor, Bonita H Valien, Preston Valien, Calvin Waller, Craig Washington, Craig Watkins, Mark Hanna Watkins, Dave Webster, Arthuryne J Welch-Taylor, James E White, Clarence Williams and Donnie Williams.

Wiley College

Wiley College is a private, historically black college located in Marshall, Texas. It was founded in 1873 by the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was named after Bishop Isaac Wiley.

Wiley College offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and the humanities. The college is known for its strong liberal arts program and its commitment to providing a high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds.

Some notable graduates of Wiley College include R E Brown, Thelma Dewitty, James Farmer, Richard E Holmes, Conrad O Johnson, Opal Lee, Mike Lewis, L D Livingston, Ernest Lyon, Henry Cecil McBay, Willie Pearson Jr, Oliver Randolph, C O Simpkins Sr, Bill Spiller, Heman Marion Sweatt, Lee Wilder Thomas, Lois Towles, Henrietta Bell Wells, James Wheaton and Richard Williams.

Texas College

Texas College is a private, historically black college located in Tyler, Texas. It was founded in 1894 by a group of African American Methodists, and was originally named “Wiley College East Texas.” The college was renamed “Texas College” in 1923.

Texas College offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and the social sciences. The college is known for its strong liberal arts program and its commitment to providing a high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds.

Some notable graduates of Texas College include Irma P Hall, Dr Jesse W Jones and Dr Mildred Fay Jefferson.

St. Philip’s College

St. Philip’s College (SPC) is a public community college located in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1898 as a college for African Americans, and was named after Saint Philip the Apostle.

SPC offers a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs in fields such as business, education, health sciences, and the humanities. The college also has a number of continuing education and professional development programs.

SPC offers over 200 online classes ranging from web design to accounting.

Jarvis Christian College

Jarvis Christian College is a private, historically black college located in Hawkins, Texas. It was founded in 1912 by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was originally named “Hawkins College.” The college was renamed “Jarvis Christian College” in honor of one of its founders, Bishop Jarvis James Clinton.

Jarvis Christian College offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and the humanities. The college is known for its strong liberal arts program and its commitment to providing a high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds.

Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University (TSU) is a public, historically black university located in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1927 and was originally named “Houston College for Negroes.” The college was renamed “Texas Southern University” in 1947.

TSU is a comprehensive university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, engineering, and the humanities. The university is known for its strong programs in law and public affairs, and has a reputation for producing high-quality graduates who are well-prepared for careers in these fields.

Some of TSU’s notable graduates include Megan Thee Stallion, Michael Strahan, Joseph Dunbar, Art Strahan, DJ Candlestick, Yolanda Adams, Kenneth M Hoyt, Ernie Holmes, Jennifer Holliday, Barbara Charline Jordan, Mickey Leland, Tray Walker, Roberto R Alonzo, Barbara Mallory Caraway, Ruth McClendon, Gilbert Pena, Morris Overstreet, Leslie D King, Kirk Whalum, Kase Lukman Lawal, Rodney Ellis, Sylvia Garcia, Harry E Johnson, Jarvis Johnson, Tony Wyllie, Geoge A McElroy, Ron Reynolds, Senfronia Thompson, Lloyd C A Wells, Robert Taylor, Greg Briggs, Ken Burrough, Joseph Anderson, Brett Maxie, Lloyd Mumphord, Warren Wells, Julius Adams, Arthur Cox, Donald Narcisse, Markus Howell, Cortez Hankton, Oliver Celestin, Warren Bone, Wilton Felder, Conrad Murray, Belvin Perry, Ronald C Green, Jim Hines, Delita Martin, Jeremy Combs, Marvin Jones and Allen Lyday.

Southwestern Christian College

Southwestern Christian College (SWCC) is a private, historically black college located in Terrell, Texas. It was founded in 1948 by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was originally named “Terrell Christian College.” The college was renamed “Southwestern Christian College” in 1987.

SWCC offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, education, and the humanities. The college is known for its strong liberal arts program and its commitment to providing a high-quality education to students from diverse backgrounds.

SWCC is accredited to award associate and bachelor degrees.