HBCUs Have Seen Surge in Male Enrollment

Targeted mentorship programs have boosted male student retention and enrollment at several institutions.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in College Applications

HBCUs Have Seen Surge in Male Enrollment

Live Poll

Do you believe a college degree is still the best path for career success today?

Historically Black colleges and universities are seeing a rise in male student attendance. Schools like Benedict College and Coppin State University have implemented specialized support initiatives to drive this growth.

Why it matters

These programs aim to address long-standing gaps in higher education for men. By focusing on career interests and mentorship, these institutions are successfully improving student retention compared to national averages.

Coppin State University saw male enrollment increase by 74% since 2021, while Morehouse College experienced 32% growth between 2020-21 and 2024-25. Additionally, the Boulé Foundation recently granted $100,000 to Benedict College for its B.E.S.T. Men initiative.

The players

Benedict College

This private liberal arts college is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and is affiliated with the Baptist Church.

Coppin State University

This public historically Black university is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and is a member of the University System of Maryland.

Morehouse College

This private, all-male, historically Black college is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and is known for producing numerous prominent leaders.

Boulé Foundation

This organization supports educational and leadership development initiatives for Black students across the United States.

The details

Benedict College now enrolls more male than female undergraduates, supported by the mandatory B.E.S.T. Men program. Meanwhile, Coppin State University attributes its growth to personalized mentoring from faculty and alumni combined with a focus on individual career interests.

2020-2021 was the baseline period for Morehouse College enrollment tracking.
Enrollment growth at Coppin State University began in 2021.
Coppin State reported 284 new male students in fall 2025.
Coppin State reported 403 new male students in fall 2026.
Forty students are scheduled for a study abroad trip this December.

Culture Shift

These enrollment trends represent a major departure from the broader societal movement of declining male participation in higher education. By successfully reversing these trends, these HBCUs are countering national data that shows a widening gender gap in college completion rates.

Prospective students may benefit from increased availability of targeted support services and mentorship programs at these universities. This trend also influences how families evaluate college options, potentially making these institutions more attractive for students seeking personalized academic guidance.

The takeaway

The success of these programs demonstrates that tailored institutional support can effectively bridge gaps in student engagement. Prospective applicants should evaluate whether a university offers specific mentorship resources that align with their career goals.