College is an increasingly unaffordable option for many families in the U.S. A new nationwide report card flunks all but one state when it comes to college affordability. The National Center for Public Policy & Higher Education released its biennial study evaluating the educational performance of each state. The comprehensive study reveals only California managed to squeak by with a passing C-grade in the affordability category, due in large part to it’s relatively affordable community colleges.

In the end, schools that are somewhat over priced need to lower their cost. If I new that I would be paying all this money back and can’t get a JOB, I never would have gone….  lol

Black Enterprise ranked its top Colleges and University for African Americans to attend. This list  was surveyed by more the 700 education professionals, including presidents, chancellors and directors of student affairs. A total of 1,400 schools met their criteria. I’m sure there are many of you like me who’ve probably never heard of some of the schools on this list. If that’s the case, I encourage you to do some research and learn something new. (This is a post about higher learning after all!)

P.S. If you have or know a high schooler on his or her way to college – Each one teach one- and please send them this list. For the complete list of the top 50 colleges for African Americans check out the September issue of Black Enterprise.

25. Cornell University

24. Williams College

23. Princeton University

22. Pomona College 

21. North Carolina A&T State University

20. Brown University

19. University of Pennsylvania

18. Florida A&M University

17. Xavier University

16. Tuskegee University

15. Yale University

14. Wesleyan University

13. Clark Atlanta University 

12. Wake Forest University

11. Columbia University 

10. Harvard University

9. Amherst College 

8. Fisk University

7. Swarthmore College 

6. Stanford University

5. Georgetown University 

4. Hampton University 

3. MoreHouse College 

2. Howard University 

1. Spelman  College 

I went to CAU and whatever college you decide, make sure it is a place that you can find a balance between learning and having a good time. At the end of the day, you must remember why you’re there -  and that’s to educate yourself, not party yourself to failure!