Claflin University News May 23, 2017 Claflin University Ranked Among the Top 20 Best HBCUs with Online Programs Historically Black Colleges and Universities, also known colloquially as HBCUs, are recognized across the board for a variety of things, such as academics, arts, and athletics. The spotlight hits a different angle in this college ranking, http://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/best-hbcu-online/ Top 20 Best Historically Black Colleges with Online Programs. Judged on the quality of education and flexibility, these 20 schools offer the unique opportunity of fulfilling the goals of attending an HBCU and doing so online. The first HBCU is debated among historians, with different groups citing Cheyney University and Lincoln University, both in Pennsylvania, in the early 1800's. Although there is no consensus on which university was first to be founded, there are now 107 HBCUs spanning the United States. The school that heads up this school ranking at #1 was also founded in the 1800's. North Carolina A&T State University, which was founded in 1891 by an act of the North Carolina General Assembly. The university was ranked first because of the incredible quality of education and has degree programs that are offered fully online and in an asynchronous format, allowing for a very customizable experience as students complete their program of choice. North Carolina A&T State University is also the largest HBCU in the United States. Another stand out in this college ranking is Claflin University (Orangeburg, SC); Claflin is ranked at #17 and is the alma mater of Robert Charles Bates, the first Black certified architect in the country. He went on to create an architectural program for the school, which was the first of its kind. Here is the full college ranking in descending order: 20. Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL) 19. Xavier University of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA) 18. Fisk University (Nashville, TB) 17. Claflin University (Orangeburg, SC) 16. North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC) 15. Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) 14. Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, NC) 13. Dillard University (New Orleans, LA) 12. Elizabeth City State University (Elizabeth City, NC) 11. Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD) 10. Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MI) 9. Bluefield State College (Bluefield, WV) 8. Bowie State University (Prince George's County, MD) 7. Hampton University (Hampton, VA) 6. Albany State University (Albany, GA) 5. Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, FL) 4. Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL) 3. Howard University (Washington D.C.) 2. Tougaloo College (Tougaloo Mississippi) 1. North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, NC) See the ranking with full methodology at http://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/best-hbcu-online/ * The article is a reprint from The Charleston Chronicle<http://www.charlestonchronicle.net/115356/2152/onlinecollegeplancom-ranks-top-20-best-historically-black-colleges-with-online-programs>.* SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/