Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States foster some of the best minds in a variety of fields. In 1837, Cheyney University became the first HBCU. Now there are over 100 in the country, with HBCUs in Virginia making up five of them. Virginia’s HBCUs include Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Virginia University of Lynchburg. 

Here we’ll highlight the five HBCUs in Virginia and share some of their most interesting facts. 

Hampton University - Hampton, VA

Mascot: The Pirates

Enrollment: 3,063

Acceptance Rate: 36%

Hampton University was established in 1868 and features more than 80 majors and concentrations, from aviation to broadcast journalism. Booker T. Washington, the mother of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Alberta Williams King, and Emmy-winning comedian Wanda Sykes are all notable alumni.

Norfolk State University - Norfolk, VA

Mascot: The Spartans

Enrollment: 5,016

Acceptance Rate: 91%

Located in the Tidewater area of Virginia, NSU is a forerunner in technological education and provides a state-of-the-art cyber security master's degree program online. Recently, President Biden even presented NSU with a grant to expand its cyber security program.

Virginia State University - Petersburg, VA

Mascot: Trojans

Enrollment: 3,659

Acceptance Rate: 96%

VSU, founded in 1882, is the first public, four-year university in the U.S. that supports higher learning specifically for Black Americans. A 412-acre agriculture research center is located on the university’s campus.

Virginia Union University - Richmond, VA

Mascot: Panthers

Enrollment: 1,170

Acceptance Rate: 71%

The Civil War era marks the beginning of the long, rich history of VUU, which was founded in 1865 to educate newly liberated enslaved people. Of VUU’s notable alumni are NAACP chairman Roslyn M. Brock, and the first Black governor in the United States, former Virginia governor L. Douglas Wilder.

Virginia University of Lynchburg - Lynchburg, VA

Mascot: The Dragons

Enrollment: 181

Acceptance Rate: 97%

Of the HBCUs in Virginia, VUL is the smallest, offering its students a foundational liberal arts and Christian education. Originally established in 1886 as the Lynchburg Baptist Seminary, VUL changed its name to the Virginia Seminary in the 1890s. VUL offers arts and sciences, administration, and religious studies. 

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