Fisk University

Nashville, TN

private nonprofitHBCUgraduate

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Quick Facts

“"Her sons and daughters are ever on the altar"”

1866

Founded

Private historically black liberal arts college

Type

950

Total Students

$24K

Tuition (In-State)

$24K

Tuition (Out-State)

$26K

Avg Net Price

58%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Graduation Rate

6-year

73%

Retention Rate

Baccalaureate Colleges

Classification

President: Agenia Walker Clark

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Fisk University

Fisk University: A pioneering HBCU, shaping leaders and civil rights from its historic Nashville campus.

Nestled in Nashville, Tennessee, Fisk University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and historical significance, making it an exceptional choice for prospective students seeking a transformative educational experience. Founded in 1866, shortly after the Civil War, Fisk was established to provide higher education for freedmen, quickly becoming the oldest higher education institution in Nashville and a cornerstone for African American intellectual life in the South. Its commitment to a rigorous liberal arts curriculum distinguishes it, fostering critical thinking and leadership in its students.

Fisk's legacy is deeply intertwined with its contributions to American culture and civil rights. Home to the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, the university has popularized spirituals and challenged racial stereotypes globally, funding its early growth through their powerful voices. Academically, Fisk has consistently broken barriers, being the first historically black college to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1930 and the first to earn a Phi Beta Kappa charter in 1952, underscoring its unwavering dedication to scholarly achievement.

Beyond academics, Fisk offers a vibrant student experience characterized by a rich history of activism and community engagement. Its students, including iconic figures like John Lewis and Diane Nash, played a pivotal role in the Nashville sit-ins, leading the charge for desegregation during the Civil Rights Movement. Today, Fisk continues to cultivate an environment where students are inspired to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society, all within a National Historic Landmark campus that echoes with centuries of profound impact.

Key Highlights

✦Founded in 1866, it is Nashville's oldest higher education institution, established for freedmen post-Civil War.
✦The Fisk Jubilee Singers, formed in 1871, achieved international fame, popularizing spirituals and raising nearly $50,000 (equivalent to $1.16 million in 2024) to fund Jubilee Hall.
✦In 1875, its graduates became the first African Americans to earn liberal arts degrees from a college south of the Mason-Dixon line.
✦Became the first historically black college to gain accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1930) and the Association of American Universities (1933).
✦Awarded the first Phi Beta Kappa charter to a predominantly Black college in 1952, recognizing its academic excellence.
✦Students were instrumental in the Nashville sit-ins (1960), playing a leading role in the Civil Rights Movement, with John Lewis and Diane Nash emerging as national leaders.
✦The campus was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1978.

Timeline

1866

Fisk Free Colored School opened in Nashville to educate freedmen.

1867

Reorganized and incorporated as Fisk University, focusing on higher education.

1871

The Fisk Jubilee Singers embarked on their first tour, raising crucial funds for the university.

1875

First African-American students graduated from a liberal arts college south of the Mason–Dixon line.

1910

Established the first social work training center for African-American graduate students with its Department of Social Science.

1930

Became the first historically black college to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

1952

Became the first predominantly black college to earn a Phi Beta Kappa charter.

1960

Fisk students, including John Lewis and Diane Nash, played leading roles in the Nashville sit-ins.

1978

Fisk's campus was recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

🏛️

160 Years

of Excellence

Leadership

Agenia Walker Clark

President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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