Prairie View A & M University was recently named the 27th best college or university for African Americans by Black Enterprise magazine.The list of institutions ranked by the magazine included 50 colleges and universities across the nation with Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, Fla. as number 1. Next to Florida A & M University, was Howard University in Washington, D.C. as number 2. Rounding out the top 5 were North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C., Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and Spellman College in Atlanta, Ga.
To develop the 2006 list, Black Enterprise surveyed more than 500 African American higher education professionals including presidents, chancellors, and directors of student affairs for their assessments of the social and academic environments for African American students at the nation’s colleges and universities.
The rankings are determined by survey scores in categories such as the best social and academic environments, rates of graduation, and overall presence of students on the campus.
“The most significant thing is that we’re the only Texas school on the list,” said Tyra Metoyer, director of university relations. “We will use this honor as a recruitment tool showing how an objective party recognizes our quality level of education.”
Metoyer felt graduation rates were the most important factor in the survey and recognized the honor as a chance for positive publicity. “This will bring us awareness [from the average citizen]; it will help people see the quality of education here and see that we are a first class institution. Plus, people will see PV is not a last resort, but rather a good choice to go to school.”
Students were also pleased with the university’s ranking. “To be number 27, I think it gives Prairie View more prestige than it has been credited with in the past,” said sophomore communications major Zakiya Farr.
The listing is available in the September edition of Black Enterprise, on newsstands now.