Wilberforce University is a private, historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. It was founded in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church and was one of the first institutions of higher education for African Americans in the United States. The university is named after William Wilberforce, a British politician and philanthropist who was a leader in the movement to abolish slavery.
Wilberforce University offers undergraduate degree programs in a variety of fields, including business, engineering, education, social sciences, and natural sciences. The university also offers graduate degree programs in education and rehabilitation counseling. In addition to its academic programs, Wilberforce University is home to a number of student organizations and athletic teams, including basketball, football, volleyball, and track and field.
The university has a rich history of activism and social justice, with many of its graduates going on to become prominent leaders in the civil rights movement. Today, Wilberforce University continues to be committed to promoting social justice and diversity, and its mission is to prepare students for leadership and service in a global society.
Despite facing financial challenges in recent years, Wilberforce University remains a vital institution of higher education that is dedicated to providing its students with a quality education and a supportive community. With its rich history and commitment to social justice, Wilberforce University is an excellent choice for students who are passionate about making a positive impact on the world around them.

Wilberforce University
Here are 20 interesting facts about Wilberforce University to give more information about this private university.
- Wilberforce University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Wilberforce, Ohio.
- It was founded in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
- It is the oldest private historically black university in the United States.
- The university is named after William Wilberforce, an 18th-century British politician and abolitionist who worked to end the slave trade.
- Wilberforce University was one of the first colleges to admit African-American women, with the first class graduating in 1887.
- The university’s mission is to “provide a quality liberal arts education for all students with a focus on preparing them for leadership and service.”
- Wilberforce University has a total enrollment of around 700 students.
- The university offers undergraduate programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, liberal arts, and sciences.
- It also offers a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling degree program.
- Wilberforce University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1.
- The university’s mascot is the Bulldog.
- The university has a rich athletic history, with its football team winning several Black college national championships in the 1920s and 1930s.
- The university is home to the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, which features exhibits on African-American history and culture.
- The university’s library, the Harriet Tubman Learning Center, is named after the famed abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad.
- Wilberforce University is a member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
- The university has a strong commitment to community service and encourages students to participate in volunteer work.
- Wilberforce University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- The university has a number of student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and academic clubs.
- The university’s motto is “The Voice of Freedom, The Soul of the African American Experience.”
- Wilberforce University has a rich religious history, with the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church playing a major role in its founding and development.
Wilberforce University has a rich history and legacy that is deeply rooted in the struggle for civil rights and social justice. With a commitment to providing a quality liberal arts education to all students, the university continues to be a leader in the education of African-American students. Its emphasis on community service, diversity, and inclusion, as well as its strong athletic programs and cultural institutions, make it a unique and valuable institution in the landscape of higher education. As Wilberforce University continues to grow and evolve, it remains a vital institution that continues to shape the future of its students and the world around them.