The Economic Impact of Tennessee's HBCUs

    UNCF’s holistic, powerful study, “Transforming Futures: The Economic Engine of HBCUs,” makes it clear: HBCUs are economic engines in their Tennessee communities and beyond, generating substantial economic returns year after year.

    HBCU faculty, employees and students produce—and consume—a wide range of goods and services, creating economic activity on and beyond campus. The result? More jobs, stronger growth and increasingly vibrant communities. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s workforce is bolstered by a steady supply of highly trained and success-oriented HBCU graduates.

    Be A Voice

    Tennessee Map

    Want to learn more? Let the numbers tell the story.

    Download Tennessee’s HBCU Factsheet

    Tennessee’s 6 HBCUs Produce:

    • $992M
      Total Economic Impact
    • 7,087
      Jobs
    • $6.7B
      Lifetime Earnings

    HBCUs in Tennessee

    Selecting a school from this dropdown will change the active tab below.

    American Baptist College

    Founded in 1924 in Nashville, Tennessee, American Baptist College (ABC) is a private institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. ABC offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in arts and humanities and business and social sciences.

    UNCF-Member Institution

    Fisk University

    Founded in 1866 in Nashville, Tennessee, Fisk University (Fisk) is the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville. Fisk offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in humanities and behavioral social science and natural sciences and mathematics.

    UNCF-Member Institution

    Lane College

    Founded in 1882 in Jackson, Tennessee, Lane College (Lane) is a private church-related institution. Lane provides a liberal arts curriculum with a diverse range of degree programs, notably in the arts and sciences.

    UNCF-Member Institution

    Le Moyne-Owen College

    Founded in 1862 in Memphis, Tennessee, LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC) is a liberal arts institution. LOC offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in business, criminal justice and law enforcement administration, and liberal arts and humanities programs.

    A group of students wearing white lab coats pose together on a staircase

    Meharry Medical College

    Founded in 1876 in Nashville, Tennessee, Meharry Medical College (Meharry) became the first medical school in the south for African Americans. Meharry offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in medicine, dentistry, and applied computational science.

    A group of students wearing blue TSU shirts walk together in a parade. Many are holding blue and white pom-poms.

    Tennessee State University

    Founded in 1912 in Nashville, Tennessee, Tennessee State University (TSU) is the only state-funded HBCU in Tennessee. TSU offers a diverse array of degree programs, featuring prominent ones in business administration and management, psychology and biology.