Historically Black Colleges in Arkansas
Photo by Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau
Here, we'll highlight the four Historically Black Colleges in Arkansas and share the types of educational opportunities they offer.
Arkansas Baptist College - Little Rock, AR
Mascot: Buffaloes
Enrollment: 344
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1884
Founded by E.C. Morris and the Colored Baptists of Arkansas, this Historically Black college in Arkansas was originally named the Minister’s Institute with the primary mission of raising the educational level of Black ministers. Religious Studies continues to be one of the major disciplines of the institution. Associates of Arts degrees are offered alongside Bachelor of Arts degrees in a majority of the same disciplines, including Business Administration, Music, Criminal Justice and Human Services and Public Administration.
Philander Smith College - Little Rock, AR
Mascot: Panthers
Enrollment: 613
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1877
Originally called Walden Seminary, this institution was the first attempt west of the Mississippi River to make education available to formerly enslaved freedmen. Upon receiving a monetary gift from Philander Smith's widow in 1882, the institution changed its name to honor Smith and it became a four-year college in 1883. Students can pursue 21 undergraduate majors within the divisions of Arts and Humanities, Business Administration, Education, Natural & Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. Philander also has a dual degree program partnership with University of Arkansas for Public Health and Engineering.
Shorter College - Little Rock, AR
Mascot: Hawks
Enrollment: 202
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1886
Shorter College is the only private two-year HBCU in the nation. Students can earn Associate of Arts degrees in Childhood Development, Christian Leadership, Criminal Justice, General Studies, Entrepreneurial Studies and Computer Science. Shorter College has several special programs ranging from dual-enrollment for high school students to a partnership with the Arkansas State Department of Community Corrections for individuals in parole and probation programs.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Mascot: Lions
Enrollment: 2,093
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Founded: 1873
Branch Normal College was established in 1873 and began educating Black students to become teachers in 1875 after procuring enough resources to pursue its mission. After some growth and a name change to Arkansas Agricultural Rural, Mechanical and Normal College in 1927, this Historically Black college in Arkansas merged with the University of Arkansas system and became University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1972. UAPB's School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Science has made this university a leading research institution in aquaculture studies. The School of Arts & Sciences has programs ranging from a Master of Science in Addiction Studies to a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technology Mgmt. & Applied Engineering. UAPB also has a School of Business and a School of Education.