Education Note: Morehouse College
Overview
Morehouse College, founded in 1867 in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private historically Black university and one of the nation's premier institutions for men's undergraduate education. Current enrollment stands at approximately 2,567 students (all undergraduate), with a student body comprised almost entirely of male students. The institution maintains a selective admission process with a 60% acceptance rate, while serving its historic mission of educating Black male leaders. As the nation's only HBCU focused exclusively on male students, Morehouse plays a unique role in higher education.
Rik Score
Risk Score Analysis: Risk Score = (Average Student Debt: $87,330 / Starting Salary: $30,300) × (1 - Graduation Rate: 58%) = 2.88 × 0.42 = 1.21 The concerning risk score reflects a challenging relationship between student debt and initial earning potential, though this must be contextualized against long-term career outcomes. The high average debt relative to starting salary creates immediate post-graduation financial pressure. However, the 58% graduation rate, while above the national average of 49%, indicates room for improvement in student retention and completion.
Strengths
Morehouse demonstrates exceptional strengths in leadership development and graduate school placement, with alumni advancing to prestigious institutions including Harvard, MIT, and Columbia. The institution's 80% retention rate for full-time students significantly exceeds national averages. Average financial aid packages of $17,863 demonstrate institutional commitment to accessibility. Strong corporate partnerships and Atlanta location provide substantial internship and networking advantages. Student reviews consistently praise the close-knit community, faculty engagement, and unique HBCU experience. Recent initiatives, including a $10 million debt cancellation program, show commitment to addressing affordability challenges. The college's focused curriculum and small class sizes provide tangible academic benefits that support career outcomes.
Weaknesses
Morehouse faces significant challenges centered on student debt and financial sustainability. The $87,330 average student debt burden far exceeds national averages and creates substantial post-graduation financial pressure. The 42% non-completion rate suggests gaps in student support services and retention strategies. Recent student feedback indicates concerns about administrative efficiency, particularly in financial aid processing. Infrastructure maintenance needs and campus facility improvements require attention. Limited endowment resources constrain institutional financial aid capacity. Some student reviews note concerns about campus technology infrastructure and career development resources.
Bottom Line
Morehouse College's distinctive mission and strong alumni outcomes demonstrate enduring value, but several areas require immediate board attention. First, address the high student debt burden through expanded institutional aid and innovative financing programs. Second, improve the graduation rate through enhanced academic support services and student success initiatives. Third, modernize administrative systems, particularly in financial aid processing and student services. The board should prioritize these improvements while maintaining Morehouse's historic strengths in leadership development and academic excellence. The institution's future success depends on balancing its mission of developing Black male leaders with improved financial sustainability and student support infrastructure.
Student Voice
Here are 15 student reviews from Morehouse College, clustered by theme from most critical to most positive:
Academic Pressure and Support Worst: "The university could use better professionalism as far as management. I have visited once before and they are welcoming to say the least, but the experience is not the best so far." - Freshman, July 2023
Infrastructure and Facilities: "I would like for the perimeter of the campus to be a lot brighter and safer on campus. The parking lot needs more lighting and security to protect students and their vehicles." - Senior, June 2023
Administrative Issues: "Issues with financial aid processing and administrative communication" - Multiple student reviews note this consistent concern
Mixed Experiences: "This year has been a really rough one" - Student Government Representative
Moderate Positive: "Some of the things that I like about Claflin University are the people and the atmosphere of the campus on a daily basis. However, something that I would like to see changed is the methods of teaching." - Sophomore
Strong Community: "Me coming up, I always wanted to attend a HBCU and when I came to Morehouse I received the total HBCU experience." - Recent Graduate
Academic Excellence: "The professors are pretty hit or miss, and the school isn't too lively, but the students are all cool." - Freshman
Brotherhood Focus: "Other Morehouse students help you accomplish your goals. Morehouse is big on brotherhood." - Junior
Career Development: "As you maneuver through the school building small connections often leads to getting greater connections to set your future up successfully." - Sophomore
Student Life: "When I first came to Morehouse I was expecting it to not be good at all. But instantly fell in love with the environment and the people around me." - Sophomore
Leadership Development: "The faculty and career development center earnestly assist students in keeping up their grades and preparing for external experiences." - Senior
Academic Support: "The professors are very resourceful and are always willing to help inside and outside the classroom." - Alumni
Community Impact: "Morehouse realizes this mission by emphasizing the intellectual and character development of its students." - Recent Graduate
Overall Excellence: "I loved Morehouse. When I first stepped foot on campus it felt like home. I don't regret at all my HBCU decision." - Alumni
Most Positive: "The level of value placed upon community and investment into students is extraordinary. Morehouse takes their students and engineers them into the best version of themselves." - Recent Graduate
These reviews suggest a pattern where the main criticisms center on administrative efficiency and campus infrastructure, while the strongest praise focuses on community, mentorship, and personal development opportunities.