By Shaun White
(Source HBCU News)
Florida A&M University (FAMU) has been recognized as the No. 2 public historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation in Forbes’ inaugural 2026 America’s Top HBCUs ranking, a distinction that underscores the University’s continued commitment to academic excellence, student success, and upward economic mobility. The inaugural ranking recognizes 10 public and 10 private HBCUs based on student outcomes, including graduation and retention rates, alumni earnings, student debt, and success in serving Pell Grant recipients.
The recognition reflects FAMU’s longstanding mission of providing an exceptional educational experience while preparing graduates to lead in their professions and communities.
“We are honored that Forbes has recognized Florida A&M University as the No. 2 public institution on its inaugural list of America’s Top HBCUs,” said FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D. “This ranking affirms what our students and families already know: FAMU delivers a world-class education at exceptional value. As an 1890 land-grant institution, we are delivering on our covenant to America — educating the sons and daughters of the soil and fueling the engine of this nation’s economy. Our investments in academic excellence and affordability mean students graduate with less debt and more opportunity — without ever compromising on quality. This is what it means to lead with ‘Excellence with Caring’: we are proving that the highest-caliber education and the smartest financial decision can be one and the same. We thank Forbes for this recognition, and we remain committed to being the standard for value in higher education.”
The Forbes recognition adds to a growing list of national accolades earned by FAMU. The University continues to distinguish itself as one of the nation’s leading public HBCUs through record-setting student success and research achievements. FAMU remains in the Top 100 among the more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities ranked in the 2026 Top Public Schools by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, FAMU achieved dual recognition in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications as both a Research 2 (R2) University and an Opportunity College and University, placing the institution among a select group of universities recognized for both significant research activity and exceptional access to economic opportunity.
The University also continues to build momentum through historic student outcomes, including a record first-year retention rate of 97.1 percent, one of the strongest indicators of student success in the nation. FAMU has also experienced record growth in externally funded research, surpassing $100 million in annual faculty research awards for six consecutive years while expanding opportunities for students to participate in transformative research experiences. Research doctoral production has increased for three consecutive years, and R&D expenditures have grown from $47.1 million to $85.1 million over four years—an increase of 80.7 percent. In the last year, the R&D achieved a 16.3 percent year-over-year jump.
“As Florida’s only public HBCU, FAMU offers more than 100 academic degree programs across disciplines including business, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, journalism, agriculture, education, law, and the sciences,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Allyson Watson, Ph.D. “The University remains committed to preparing graduates who are equipped to solve society’s greatest challenges while serving as leaders in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
The Forbes methodology emphasizes outcomes that matter most to students and families, including return on investment, graduation success, retention, alumni earnings, student debt, and performance among Pell Grant recipients—metrics that closely align with FAMU’s mission of expanding access and creating pathways to economic mobility.
