Xavier University Ranked Among Nation’s Top Private HBCUs by Forbes 

Eric Connerly Data News Weekly

 Contributor Xavier University of Louisiana has once again earned National Recognition, ranking No . 4 among Private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Nation in Forbes’ 2026 Rankings . The ranking, based on the same methodology used for Forbes’ list of America’s Top 500 Colleges, evacuates institutions on student success, return on investment, graduate earnings, and career outcomes . Only Howard University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College ranked ahead of Xavier, underscoring the New Orleans in situation’s longstanding reputation for academic excellence and its commitment to preparing students for leadership in medicine, science, and other professional fields. Founded in 1925 by Saint Katha rine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier is the nation’s only Historically Black and Catholic University . For decades, the institution has been recognized as a national leader in producing African American graduates who pursue careers in health care and the sciences . Among its many accomplish ments, Xavier produces more Afri can American students who gradu ate from medical schools each year than any other university in the United States . Its nationally re spected programs include biology and pre-medicine, chemistry, phar macy, physician assistant studies, candidate status from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, a significant milestone toward full accreditation . The medical school will be located in Benson Tower in downtown New Orleans . medical laboratory science, neu roscience, health informatics, and speech-language pathology . The university also earned recognition as the Nation’s No . 1 HBCU for upward mobility . Ac cording to Forbes, 79 percent of Xavier students from the bottom two income quintiles move into the top three income groups, highlight ing the university’s transformative impact on economic opportunity . Additionally, Xavier graduates re port a median mid-career salary of $104,100, reflecting the strong re turn on investment provided by a Xavier Education . Xavier is also poised to expand its historic impact on medical edu cation through its partnership with Ochsner Health to establish the Xavier Ochsner College of Medi cine . The school will become the only HBCU Medical School in the Gulf South and just the fifth Allo pathic HBCU Medical School in the United States . In late 2025, the proposed medical school received Forbes praised Xavier’s remark able record of preparing Black Students for careers in medicine, noting the university’s national influence despite its relatively modest size . The publication also highlighted distinguished Alumna Dr . Regina Benjamin, former U .S . Surgeon General and recipient of a MacArthur ”Genius Grant,” as one of the many graduates whose accomplishments reflect Xavier’s Enduring Legacy . As Xavier University approaches its second century of excellence, the latest Forbes Ranking reinforc es its position as one of the Nation’s Premier HBCUs and a leading in stitution dedicated to expanding educational opportunity, advancing health equity, and developing the next generation of leaders