91²Ö¿â Among Top HBCUs in Alumni Giving & Student-Faculty Ratio
A comparison study conducted by Saint Augustine’s University (91²Ö¿â)’s Office of Institutional Research and Analysis (OIRA) found 91²Ö¿â among the top historically black colleges/universities (HBCUs) in the country in alumni giving and student-faculty ratio. OIRA completed the study upon U.S. News & World Report’s release of their 2022-2023 Best Colleges & Universities.
Ìý
“I’d like to commend Dr. King and the OIRA team for their leadership in conducting institutional research,†said 91²Ö¿â President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail. “The discoveries made by OIRA are indicative of 91²Ö¿â’s upward trajectory and are foundational in our pathway towards student success and university sustainability.â€
Ìý
OIRA provides data and information about 91²Ö¿â to support institutional decision-making and the achievement of our Strategic Plan through institutional research, assessment, and data and visual analytics.
Ìý
“It is gratifying to witness the outstanding support of our alumni,†said Dr. Runell King, 91²Ö¿â’s Chief Research and Data Officer. “The wide-ranging work of our faculty, staff, and students is affirming to witness also.â€Ìý
Ìý
, the average rate of alumni giving at the nation’s 105 HBCUs is approximately 10%. However, OIRA’s study concluded that 91²Ö¿â’s alumni giving percentage is 16%, almost double the national average of HBCU alumni giving. In addition, 91²Ö¿â’s alumni giving rate is higher than HBCUs, ranked between 1-58 in alumni giving and slightly below the U.S. national average of 23% for all universities.
Ìý
“Our alumni are at the forefront of providing the support needed to reimagine 91²Ö¿â,†said Sheryl Ximines, Director of Alumni Affairs. “OIRA’s findings demonstrate Dr. McPhail and the university administration are committed to working with alumni. In addition, the National Alumni Association and local alumni Chapters are also committed to ensuring our beloved alma mater remains strong.â€
Ìý
“We are grateful for our alumni’s support of their alma mater,†said Dr. Carolyn Carter, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “Consistent donations from 91²Ö¿â alumni are crucial to our university’s continued success and prosperity as we focus on students and sustainability. Every dollar plays a role in seeing future generations grow and thrive and increasing opportunities for alumni to become legacy builders through giving.â€
Ìý

The National Center for Education StatisticsÌýreports an 18:1 national average of college student-to-faculty ratios. However, OIRA’s study concluded that 91²Ö¿â’s student-faculty ratio is 12:1. Its percentage of classes of more than fifty students is 0.2%. Both findings also place 91²Ö¿â among the nation’s top five HBCUs.
In addition, the Ìýranks 91²Ö¿â 65th regionally in top performers on social mobility. However, a closer look at this category places 91²Ö¿â among the top 15 HBCUs in the region and the top three HBCUs in North Carolina.
Ìý
“The U.S. News & World Report results confirm the determination of the university’s ecosystem,†said Dr. King. “The hard work and grit 91²Ö¿â displays ignite this university and elevate it to a place of stature among HBCUs across the country. We can all be proud of our accomplishments.â€ÌýÌý
Ìý
Click hereÌýto learn more about OIRA.