Written by: Mary J. Hale, C'79 VUUNAA Communications and Marketing Committee
Virginia Union University ranked 48 out of 79 in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Top 50 Historically Black Colleges and Universities” (HBCUs). This is a historical event for VUU and the first time it has been ranked in U.S. News & World Report.
“Virginia Union University is focused on enhancing the academic experience and career preparation of our 21st-century students,” said Virginia Union University president and CEO, Dr. Hakim J. Lucas.
To make the list, a school must be listed as part of the White House and U.S. Department of Education’s Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. To qualify for the U.S. News rankings, an HBCU must also be an undergraduate baccalaureate-granting institution that enrolls first-year, first-time students and must be a school that is part of the 2022 Best Colleges rankings. HBCUs are compared with one another for these rankings.
VUU shares its ranking at 48th with fellow HBCUs, Bluefield State College in Bluefield, WV, and Florida Memorial University in Miami, FL. In total, 79 HBCUs were eligible on the list; 78 were ranked and one was unranked.
Virginia Union University also ranked in the top 30 performers on social mobility by U.S. News & World Report. Social mobility is the upward or downward movement of individuals (students) within or between social class or social hierarchy. U.S. News & World Report used two indicators to calculate social mobility; the overall success of Pell Grant students and the six-year graduation rate among Pell Grant recipients who were new fall 2013 and 2014 entrants graduating by 2019 and 2020.
“This ranking is in line with what our market research found that VUU is the highest value and most affordable option among peer institutions. We are proud that our dedicated work and perseverance are recognized as we continue to move upward toward an even higher best-in-class ranking,” said Lucas.
To read more about VUU ranking 48 out of 79, go here.