20 Economically Diverse National Universities
These schools enroll the highest percentage of Pell Grant recipients among National Universities.
At certain National Universities, institutions that offer a range of bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, Pell Grant recipients are strong in number. Pell Grants are awarded to college students from low-income families. One way to gauge an institution's commitment to economic diversity, especially at a time when paying for college is difficult for many families, is to consider the percentage of Pell Grant recipients it enrolls. Of the 374 National Universities that submitted Pell Grant data to U.S. News in an annual survey, the average percentage of the student body receiving this funding was 31%. Comparatively, the average for schools on this list was 64%. Here are the 20 National Universities with the highest percentage of Pell Grant recipients during the 2019-2020 school year. For schools that didn't provide the latest tuition figures, 2019-2020 costs are noted.
Morgan State University (MD)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 57%
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $8,008 (in-state), $18,480 (out-of-state)
More about Morgan State University.
University of California--Riverside
U.S. News rank: 88 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 57%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $13,859 (in-state), $43,613 (out-of-state)
More about the University of California--Riverside.
Valdosta State University (GA)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 57%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $6,583 (in-state), $17,638 (out-of-state)
More about Valdosta State University.
Keiser University (FL)
U.S. News rank: 284 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 58%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $33,120
More about Keiser University.
Liberty University (VA)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 58%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $24,910
More about Liberty University.
Gallaudet University (DC)
U.S. News rank: 124 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 60%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $17,038
More about Gallaudet University.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
U.S. News rank: 272 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 60%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $6,657 (in-state), $20,167 (out-of-state)
More about North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Our Lady of the Lake University (TX)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 61%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $30,196
More about Our Lady of the Lake University.
Regent University (VA)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 61%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $20,120
More about Regent University.
California State University--Fresno
U.S. News rank: 196 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 62%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $6,643 (in-state), $12,781 (out-of-state)
More about California State University--Fresno.
Mary Baldwin University (VA)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 62%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $31,085
More about Mary Baldwin University.
University of Texas--El Paso
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 62%
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $8,961 (in-state), $24,324 (out-of-state)
More about the University of Texas--El Paso.
University of California--Merced
U.S. News rank: 97 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 65%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $13,538 (in-state), $43,292 (out-of-state)
More about the University of California--Merced.
University of Puerto Rico--Rio Piedras
U.S. News rank: 196 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 66%
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $4,178 (in-state), $6,162 (out-of-state)
More about the University of Puerto Rico--Rio Piedras.
Clark Atlanta University
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 68%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $24,157
More about Clark Atlanta University.
Florida A&M University
U.S. News rank: 241 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 68%
2020-2021 tuition and fees: $5,785 (in-state), $17,725 (out-of-state)
More about Florida A&M University.
University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley
U.S. News rank: 284 (tie)
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 68%
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $8,132 (in-state); $18,260 (out-of-state)
More about the University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley.
National Louis University (IL)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 73%
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $11,010
More about National Louis University.
Texas Southern University
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 74%
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $9,173 (in-state); $21,833 (out-of-state)
More about Texas Southern University.
Jackson State University (MS)
U.S. News rank: 298-389
Percentage of students receiving Pell Grants: 79%
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $8,620 (in-state), $19,620 (out-of-state)
More about Jackson State University.
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Universities with the highest percentage of Pell Grant recipients
-- Jackson State University: 79%
-- Texas Southern University: 74%
-- National Louis University: 73%
-- Clark Atlanta University: 68%
-- Florida A&M University: 68%
-- University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley: 68%
-- University of Puerto Rico--Rio Piedras: 66%
-- University of California--Merced: 65%
-- California State University--Fresno: 62%
-- Mary Baldwin University: 62%
-- University of Texas--El Paso: 62%
-- Our Lady of the Lake University: 61%
-- Regent University: 61%
-- Gallaudet University: 60%
-- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University: 60%
-- Keiser University: 58%
-- Liberty University: 58%
-- Morgan State University: 57%
-- University of California--Riverside: 57%
-- Valdosta State University: 57%
