Originally published August 25, 2006
FAMU tops list of black colleges

By Diane Hirth
DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER

The top university for black students in the U.S. is Florida A&M University, according to Black Enterprise magazine's college rankings in its September issue.

FAMU outpolled universities such as Howard University, which was No. 2, North Carolina A&T State University, No. 3, Harvard University, No. 4, and Spelman College, No. 5.

"It's true," Black Enterprise editorial assistant Stephanie Young said on Thursday.

The last time FAMU hit the media jackpot was 1997, when it won College of the Year kudos from Time Magazine-Princeton Review.

''What it says about FAMU is that it is a very good place for a young African-American hoping to matriculate to be, in terms of an all-around positive experience," said Challis Lowe, FAMU board of trustees chairwoman.

More than 500 black higher education officials, including presidents and student affairs directors, were surveyed regarding the academic and social environment for black students at 1,423 American colleges and universities. Also factored into the ratings were black student enrollment, black enrollment as a percentage of undergraduate enrollment and black students' graduation rate.

FAMU was No. 1 among all U.S. universities in bachelor's degrees earned by black students as of 2003-04. FAMU is expecting its fall enrollment to match its 12,176 students in 2005, which was a 900-student drop. Its six-year graduation rate was 44 percent as of 2003, eighth highest among public HBCUs.

The magazine does its college ratings every two years. In 2004, FAMU was ranked No. 6. Representatives of Black Enterprise are expected to be on FAMU's campus on Monday, confirmed FAMU spokeswoman LaNedra Carroll.

"It's a good sign we're competitive. I hope it will also be a good sign to the African-American community of potential students of places to consider, and that will help with our enrollment," said Lowe, adding that FAMU is focusing on raising its graduation rate.

Contact Diane Hirth at (850) 671-6546 or dhirth@tallahassee.com

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