Spelman College in Atlanta holds the distinction of being one of the top historically black colleges (HBCUs) in the United States. The women’s only school has become synonymous with black girl excellence.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about Spelman.
What Is Spelman College?
Spelman College is a private, historically black liberal arts women’s college located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It was founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary by Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles. Spelman College is named after Laura Spelman Rockefeller and her parents Harvey Buel and Lucy Henry Spelman, longtime activists in the abolitionist movement.
Spelman College is known for its strong commitment to the education of African American women and has a rich history of producing influential alumnae in various fields, including politics, business, academia, and the arts. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate programs and is particularly well-regarded for its programs in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields.
The school mascot, the Jaguar, can be seen prominently in the school’s athletics program.
Where Is Spelman College Located?
Spelman College is located in Atlanta, Georgia, in what is called the Atlanta University Center (AU Center), a consortium of HBCUs near downtown. Spelman’s address is 350 Spelman Ln SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. Here’s a map to help you find it.
How Much Does Spelman College Cost?
When it comes to tuition fees for the 2023-2024 semester, part-time students registered for less than 12 hours must pay $1,130 per credit hour.
Full-time students registered for more than 20 hours will be charged $925 for each additional credit hours, according to the school’s website.
Additional charges will be incurred for out-of-state fees as well as for on-campus dorm living, which is customary.
| FIRST SEMESTER | ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS | OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (12 to 20 credit hours) | $13,457.50 | $13,457.50 |
| Student fees (see details below) | $1,571.50 | $1,571.50 |
| Room and Board * | $8,146.50 | — |
| Total First Semester | $23,175.50 | $15,029.00 |
Other charges to be assessed at registration (see Other Charges below).
| SECOND SEMESTER | ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS | OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (12 to 20 credit hours) | $13,457.50 | $13,457.50 |
| Student fees (see details below) | $1,571.50 | $1,571.50 |
| Room and Board * | $8,146.50 | — |
| Total Second Semester | $23,175.50 | $15,029.00 |
Other charges to be assessed at registration (see Other Charges below).
| TOTAL FOR YEAR | $46,351.00 | $30,058.0 |
|---|
Who Are Some Notable Spelman College Alumni?
Spelman features a who’s who of famous and notable alumni. Here are a few:
- Alice Walker – Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for her novel “The Color Purple.”
- Marian Wright Edelman – Founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund, a leading advocacy organization for children’s rights.
- Bernice Johnson Reagon – Founder of the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock and a prominent scholar of African American music and history.
- Keshia Knight Pulliam – Actress known for her role as Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”
- Rosalind Brewer – CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance and former COO of Starbucks.
- Stacey Abrams – Politician, lawyer, and voting rights activist who served in the Georgia House of Representatives and ran for governor of Georgia in 2018.
- Beverly Daniel Tatum – Psychologist, educator, and author known for her work on race relations and identity development, particularly in the context of education.
Final Word
Spelman College is recognized for its dedicated focus on educating African American women and boasts a history of notable graduates who have excelled in diverse areas such as politics, business, academia, and the arts. Offering a broad spectrum of undergraduate programs, the college is especially esteemed for its curriculum in the humanities, social sciences, and STEM disciplines.
Spelman is part of the Atlanta University Center, which is a consortium of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located in Atlanta, Georgia.
The consortium includes four member institutions: Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College. These institutions are known for their academic excellence and cultural significance in the African American community. The AU Center offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, as well as cultural and social activities for students. The AU Center is also known for its restaurants.
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