TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 21, 2025 – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) has claimed the top spot in Forbes Advisor’s newly released ranking of online programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Recognized for its combination of affordability, student outcomes, and academic quality, FAMU ranks No. 1 among HBCUs offering fully online bachelor’s degrees.
Why FAMU Leads the Pack
Affordability: With an average in-state undergraduate tuition of just $5,785 per year, FAMU offers one of the most budget-friendly online education options among HBCUs. That low cost delivers tremendous value compared to peers—Delaware State University, the No. 2 school, charges around $10,000 annually.
Student Success: FAMU’s online retention rate is an impressive 86%, the highest in the ranking, and it also boasts the lowest student loan default rate. Its 57% graduation rate, leading among the ranked HBCUs, reflects strong academic structures and student support.
Academic Rigor & Infrastructure: Forbes praised FAMU for providing valid academic credibility, robust digital learning infrastructure, and varied online offerings. Data showed the university delivers at least five fully online bachelor’s degrees across fields like information technology, sociology, criminal justice, and psychology . The online degrees combine asynchronous learning, synchronous sessions, and in some cases, fieldwork—enhanced further by a partnership with Ed2Go to offer career-training modules.
Institutional Strengths Highlighted
FAMU’s provost, Dr. Allyson L. Watson, and Dean of FAMU Online, Dr. Kelley Bolden Bailey, emphasized the university’s strategic focus on high-touch digital learning tailored to diverse learners—working professionals, non-traditional students, and traditional undergraduates FAMU’s approach incorporates targeted student advisement, flexibility, and consistency in program delivery.
A testimony from recent graduate Thomas Elliot Cannon, who returned to complete his architecture degree fully online, underlined FAMU Online’s seamless and supportive structure.
“I found the FAMU Online program to be robust, easy to navigate … perfect solution for finishing my degree after relocating …”
Forbes Methodology
Forbes Advisor’s rankings were based on several weighted criteria including:
- Online program breadth (minimum of five fully online bachelor’s degrees)
- Accreditation status and academic quality
- Affordability (tuition, fees, loan default rates)
- Student outcomes (retention, graduation, alumni earnings)
- Online infrastructure and learner support services
FAMU excelled across nearly every metric—offering cost-effective, accredited, and outcome-driven online education.
FAMU’s Broader Legacy
Founded in 1887, FAMU stands as a major public HBCU and land-grant institution. Its main campus in Tallahassee, with additional facilities throughout Florida, serves over 10,000 students. As a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, FAMU underscores its commitment to access, upward mobility, and student success.
The university first earned national attention as Time-Princeton Review’s “College of the Year” in 1997, and frequently ranks among top public HBCUs in U.S. News & World Report. Its online success further cements FAMU’s reputation for academic rigor and community transformation.
Implications for HBCU Online Education
FAMU’s No. 1 ranking highlights a significant trend: HBCUs are investing in scalable, inclusive digital education to meet the evolving demands of learners. Amid historic challenges and recent funding scrutiny—such as the paused $237 million gift—FAMU’s online excellence spotlights resilience and forward momentum.
As more HBCUs develop competitive online platforms, rankings like Forbes’ will shape perceptions of HBCU strength in the digital age.
