Yes, Dillard University is an HBCU. It appears on the official federal list of 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities maintained by the White House Initiative on HBCUs. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private liberal arts university with roots stretching back to the years immediately following the Civil War.
How Dillard Became an HBCU
Dillard University was formed in 1930 through the merger of two institutions that were originally established to educate formerly enslaved people after the Civil War. New Orleans University, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church (now the United Methodist Church), and Straight University, founded by the American Missionary Association of the Congregational Church (now the United Church of Christ), combined to create what became Dillard. A new board of trustees proposed a charter for the university on June 6, 1930.
Under the Higher Education Act, an HBCU is defined as any accredited institution established before 1964 whose principal mission was, and remains, the education of Black Americans. Dillard fits that definition based on its founding purpose and continuous mission. The university remains affiliated with both the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ, reflecting the religious traditions of its two predecessor schools.
Dillard Today
Dillard is a small liberal arts university with a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,068 as of fall 2024 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1. That intimate size is typical of private HBCUs and means students generally get more direct access to professors than they would at a large state school.
The university has earned recognition in HBCU-specific rankings. College Raptor ranked Dillard as the 11th best HBCU in the country out of 102 institutions in 2023. Its campus blends the academic traditions of a faith-affiliated liberal arts school with the cultural energy of New Orleans, and its worship life draws from Methodist, United Church of Christ, and Baptist traditions.
What HBCU Status Means for Students
Attending a federally recognized HBCU like Dillard opens the door to funding and programs specifically reserved for HBCU students. The federal government directs grants, research funding, and capacity-building dollars to HBCUs through Title III of the Higher Education Act. Students at HBCUs also qualify for certain scholarships from private organizations and corporations that specifically target HBCU enrollment.
Beyond funding, HBCU status signals a campus culture and institutional mission centered on serving Black students. HBCUs enroll roughly 9% of all Black college students nationally but produce a disproportionate share of Black graduates in fields like STEM, education, and the health professions. For students considering Dillard, the HBCU designation is not just a label. It reflects a specific educational environment with deep alumni networks, mentorship traditions, and a community built around shared cultural identity.