No, Texas State University Is Not a Historically Black College — What It Is and Why the Distinction Matters

Texas State University, located in San Marcos, Texas, occupies a unique space in the state’s higher education landscape—but it is not a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).-shaped by decades of demographic shifts, public policy, and institutional evolution, the university’s identity diverges sharply from the foundational purpose and historical mission of HBCUs. While it serves a diverse student body—including significant representation from underrepresented communities—it lacks the defining legacy, legislative mandate, and cultural roots that define HBCUs such as Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern, or Howard University. Though often discussed in conversations about access and equity, Texas State’s institutional history offers critical context: it emerged not from post-Civil War segregation or 19th-century efforts to educate newly emancipated African Americans, but from the expansion of public higher education in the mid-20th century.

Founded in 1909 as the Texas State Normal School, the institution began as a teacher training college for white students in a rural, agrarian region. Its transformation into a major public university was gradual, driven by enrollment surges and state policy—not by racial integration mandates or community activism central to HBCUs’ origins.

Texas State University is classified as a public R1 research university, prioritizing academic breadth, research output, and regional economic impact.

Unlike HBCUs, which were historically established to serve Black students excluded from predominantly white institutions, Texas State admits all qualified applicants regardless of race, with a current enrollment exceeding 21,000 students as of 2024. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the university enrolls roughly 7% Black or African American students—well below the 15–20% ranges typical of traditional HBCUs in Texas. This demographic profile reflects a student body shaped more by geographic diversity, socioeconomic need, and metropolitan growth than by deliberate efforts to rebuild educational access for African Americans.

Despite its evolving identity, Texas State has undertaken meaningful initiatives to acknowledge and engage with Black history and culture. In recent years, the university has expanded programming such as Black Student Union events, cultural awareness workshops, and student-led events around Juneteenth and African American History Month. The establishment of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in 2018 formalized institutional commitment, though these efforts serve a broader inclusive mission rather than target historical exclusion.

As Dr. Carolyn Kitchens, former Chancellor of Texas State, noted in a 2022 university report, “Our focus is on equity—ensuring every student sees themselves in our community not because we were founded for them, but because we strive to be welcoming and supportive.”

Structurally, Texas State lacks the deeply embedded historical and cultural institutions that anchor HBCUs. There are no historically Black faculty lineages, no legacy of prominent Black scholars shaping its intellectual foundation, or longstanding community alliances built over generations.

HBCUs often trace mission-specific identities—faith, cultural preservation, or regional advocacy—rooted in centuries of struggle and resilience. Texas State, by contrast, reflects the dynamism of a modern public university: diverse, research-oriented, and responsive to the educational needs of a growing, multicultural Texas.

Financial and governance models further distinguish Texas State from HBCUs.

While many HBCUs rely heavily on federal support and private endowments tied to historical fundraising from civil rights supporters, Texas State receives state appropriations and tuition revenue, funded through public investment mechanisms designed for comprehensive public universities. This allows broader access but shifts priorities from mission-driven development to scalability and service capacity across diverse academic disciplines.

The distinction between Texas State University and HBCUs remains not just administrative but ideological.

HBCUs were forged in response to systemic exclusion; today, they continue to serve as vital lifelines and cultural anchors. Texas State, while inclusive and transformative in its own right, reflects a different mission: expanding equitable access within a large, evolving public system rather than addressing historical inequities through foundational purpose. Recognizing this prevents conflating institutional diversity with historical legacy—and ensures accurate appreciation of each university’s unique role.

In a state where higher education is increasingly viewed as a gateway to economic opportunity, the conversation around Texas State University demands clarity. It is neither a HBCU, nor should it be misclassified as such. It stands as a major public research university committed to serving a changing South Texas—one defined by scale, diversity, and forward-looking innovation.

Understanding its identity enriches public discourse about equity, access, and the varied pathways through which education shapes communities. Behind the surface, the story of Texas State University reveals more than institutional labels—it reflects Texas’s complex educational evolution and the ongoing effort to balance historical accountability with contemporary inclusivity. As the University continues to grow, its story reminds us that while definitions matter, impact is measured in opportunities created and lives transformed.