*In this photo:* Delaware State University has retained its standing as the #3 Public HBCU and the #9 overall among more than 100 private and public Historically Black Colleges and Universities, according to the latest HBCU rankings by U.S. News and World Report.

On Campus

DSU retains #3 Public, #9 Overall in USNWR HBCU rankings

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

University ranked among the Top 3 Public HBCUs for 5th consecutive year

Undergraduate Teaching, Innovation, Economic mobility still a clear factor for success

Peer Assessments Note Increased Profile

Remains in the Top 10 HBCUs Overall

US News and World Report (USNWR) released its annual 2025 university rankings on Tuesday, placing Delaware State University as the nation’s third-best public HBCU and ninth among more than 100 HBCUs overall. Among public HBCUs, only Florida A&M University and North Carolina A&T University ranked ahead of Delaware State University. The rankings come on the heels of last week’s White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference in Philadelphia, where President Joe Biden addressed 3,000 attendees and increased his commitment to HBCUs to $17B.

USNWR publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with comparative metrics of undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities. The rankings offer detailed information about the institution’s outcome measures—graduation rates, graduate indebtedness, and post-graduate earnings.

“These overall rankings are not as important as the independent indicators we care about most,” said Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University. “Can we graduate a student from a low-resource community at the same rate or better than we graduate students from more stable backgrounds? Are our students getting the kind of teaching in the classroom that prepares them for a smaller, more connected, more complicated world? Are we committed to growing by meeting our students wherever they are: Online? In the classroom? Overseas? And is our commitment to the State of Delaware indicative of an institution with a clear role in helping the state take advantage of its greatest strengths and solve some of our most pressing concerns? If we can answer these questions with an eye toward the future, then our best days are always in front of us.”

Allen has also chaired President Biden’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs since 2021 and was recently featured in a cover story from HBCU Times, focusing on the growth of the University. Click here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/479445101/

The University’s standing in the latest ranking is consistent with its growing enrollment – spurred on by the state-sponsored full tuition Inspire scholarship – and enhanced research portfolio, now at just about $30MM, and its continued leadership in the HBCU community. Among the University’s notable achievements, such leadership includes:

The convening of a national HBCU Philanthropy Symposium, now in its 14th year.
The first-ever national Black Farmers Conference held last fall on campus.
A new Early Childhood Innovation Center serving childcare providers across the state and opening its doors in early 2025.
An Aviation Program that continues to lead the airline industry in producing more pilots of color than any other place in the country.

In this year’s rankings, the University was touted for its undergraduate teaching, innovation, and the performance of students from low-resource communities. The University also received high marks in its peer assessment category, ranking #10 among all HBCUs.

“It is always good to know that we are highly thought of by our HBCU peers,” said Dr. Lynda Murray-Jackson, Senior Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness. “Such respect from our college and university peers gives us encouragement that despite the current challenges spread through the higher education landscape, we continue as an institution to head in the right trajectory.”

“We have historically strived for consistency in providing quality education to our students, and today’s rankings show that we are achieving our goal,” said Dr. Patrice Gilliam, Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer. “We will continue to strive for educational excellence.”

Laila Johnson, a junior Mass Communications major and editor-in-chief of The Hornet student newspaper, said it is an honor to be part of a prestigious HBCU like Delaware State University, and she is motivated to contribute to its legacy of excellence and resilience. “I take pride in representing an institution that values education, culture, and community, which inspires me to strive for greatness in all aspects of my life,” said Ms. Johnson. “Here, my identity is embraced, and my potential is nurtured, making my college experience truly special.”

In last week’s conference, President Biden noted the power of HBCUs. “HBCUs are engines of economic mobility in our country, raising the standard of living for everybody. Despite representing only 3 percent of the colleges and universities in America, HBCUs are responsible for 40 percent of all Black engineers, 50 percent of all Black teachers, 70 percent of all Black doctors and dentists, and 80 percent of all Black judges.” The President continued, “An education makes a person free. An HBCU education makes you fearless, as well.” For the President’s full comments, click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/O1yL5LUGZqM?si=30X-5nfVX-T_FmYn