Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs)
AASCU’s member PBIs increase access to higher education for Black or African American students. Different from HBCUs, these institutions gain designation based on the demographics of their undergraduate student enrollment and not institutional mission.
PBIs play a critical role in serving Black students enrolled in postsecondary education.
As the Higher Education Act amendments of 2008 outline, public or private nonprofit institutions can apply for federal PBI designation and funding through Title III if the college or university meets specified enrollment and financial requirements. These funds can be used for various purposes, such as developing faculty and improving student support services and academic programs.
To be designated as a PBI, an institution must have:
- Undergraduate enrollment: Enroll at least 1,000 undergraduate students
- African American enrollment: At least 40% of undergraduate enrollment must be Black or African American.
- Low-income student enrollment: At least 50% of undergraduate students must be low-income or be first-generation students
- Accreditation: The institution must be accredited by a recognized accrediting body.
- Public or nonprofit status: The institution must be public or nonprofit, meaning it does not distribute its earnings to owners or shareholders.
- Low expenditures: The institution must have low educational and general expenditures, meaning lower resources with which to serve students.
Meet AASCU’s PBI members.
75%
of public four-year PBIs are AASCU members
33%
of member PBIs are also Rural-Serving Institutions (RSIs)
AASCU’s Predominantly Black Institutions by the numbers
AASCU’s PBIs enroll more than 35,000 undergraduate students.
70%
of all undergraduate students at member PBIs are people of color
68%
of undergraduate students at member PBIs are women
50%
of undergraduate students at member PBIs, on average, receive Pell Grants
Top fields of study:
24%
Business and communications
23%
Health fields
22%
Social and behavioral sciences and human services
Data Sources & Notes
- AASCU analysis of IPEDS data, College Scorecard data, and The American College President Study 2023 Edition from the American Council on Education.
- The data presented on this page reflect AASCU’s institutional members. The institutional map includes AASCU’s institutional and associate member institutions.
- Data reflect institutions that met the eligibility requirements to apply for federal designation and funding as a Predominantly Black Institution in FY24.
- The term “people of color” represents individuals who identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and multiracial.
- AASCU employs the framework and methodology developed by the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges to designate our member institutions as rural-serving institutions (RSI). As such, AASCU designates any member institution that has an RSI score above the average score as an RSI.
- For a complete list of PBIs, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Eligibility Matrices for Titles III and Title V Programs.
PBI Member Spotlight
PROMISING PRACTICE
Growing a Stronger Community From High School Through Career Placement
Chicago State University (IL)
This university is investing in its surrounding community with a comprehensive program that supports and enriches underrepresented students from dual-enrollment courses in high schools to holistic programs and scholarships in college to career placement in positions with sustainable wages upon graduation.
Learn more.Questions about PBIs? Let us know.
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