Wilberforce University

Heritage: Founded in 1856 by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilberforce is the first predominantly African-American private university in the nation. Students of all faiths, races, colors, and national and ethnic origins are welcome. Accreditations and affiliations: Wilberforce is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is affiliated with many collegiate organizations and associations, including the United Negro College Fund. Enrollment: Approximately 600 students. Eighty percent are traditional students, while 20 percent are non-traditional. Faculty: 55 full-time, 20 part-time. Student-to-faculty ratio: 14 to one. Cooperative education: All students complete two paid cooperative education experiences. Wilberforce is one of only a few universities in the country that demonstrate their strong commitment to experiential learning in this way. International programs: Besides traveling to Israel, Wilberforce students get a chance to work and study in places such as the Caribbean and Africa and take part in study-abroad programs in other locations around the world. Special programs: Dual-degree programs, honors program, internships. Student life: Students choose from among dozens of campus organizations, including a renowned concert choir, a gospel chorus, a jazz band, honor societies, student government, the campus newspaper, a literary magazine, the yearbook staff, a radio station, a debate team, academic clubs, pre-alumni groups, professional organizations, religious groups, Black Male Coalition, Black Women United, the International Student Organization, SIFE (Students Interested in Free Enterprise), fraternities, and sororities. Athletics: Wilberforce is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II. Intercollegiate teams play in the American Mideast Conference, the largest conference in the NAIA. Men's and women's teams compete in basketball and gol.