After the rise of BLM, Black students and their families are heading back to HBCUs

Morehouse College is one of several historically Black colleges and universities seeing a surge in applications and enrollments in recent years. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Mike Stewart / Mike Stewart

A number of historically Black colleges and universities are seeing an increase in Black students applying and enrolling after years of decline.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports these enrollments fell from 18% in 1976 to 8% in 2014. But in 2020, that number rose to 9%. HBCUs such as Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, have seen an increase in applications. At that school, the number went up over 60% in 2020 from the previous year, according to Data USA.

There are a number of factors behind the change — including boosts from famous graduates such as Vice President Harris — but some Black students and their families see a safer learning environment with these institutions.