Raleigh, North Carolina, holds many stories. Some of them live in old brick buildings with tall windows. Others live in the voices of people who walked through doors that were once locked to them. One of those stories belongs to Saint Augustine’s University. If you have ever driven along Oakwood Avenue in southeast Raleigh, you have probably seen its campus. The trees are old. The chapel has a quiet strength. And the students walking between classes carry something that cannot be seen with the eyes. They carry the weight of a mission that started in 1867, just after the Civil War ended.
Back then, the idea of educating formerly enslaved people was not popular. Many did not want it to happen. But a small group of Episcopal leaders believed differently. They thought education was the key to freedom—not just the freedom from chains, but the freedom to think, to work, to lead. So they opened a normal school. That school grew slowly, year by year. It changed names. It added buildings. It survived fires, depressions, and the long night of Jim Crow. Today, that school is known as Saint Augustine’s University. And it is still standing.
Walking onto the campus of Saint Augustine’s University feels different from walking onto a large state school. There are no crowded shuttles. No massive lecture halls that seat three hundred students. Instead, there are small classrooms where professors learn your name by the second week. There are benches where students sit and talk about their dreams. There is Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, a building that students themselves helped construct in the late 1800s. That building is not just old. It is a witness. Every stone in its walls was laid by young Black men learning a trade so they could build their own futures.
The university has never been large compared to flagship state universities. It enrolls around a thousand students most years. But large does not always mean better. Ask any graduate of Saint Augustine’s University, and they will tell you about a professor who stayed late to help them understand a difficult theory. Or a friend who became a business partner. Or a chapel service that gave them strength to keep going when money was tight and hope was thin. Those are the things that small universities do well. They create relationships. They build networks. They refuse to let students disappear into the background.
Academically, Saint Augustine’s University offers a range of programs that prepare students for the real world. Business administration is popular. So is criminal justice. Psychology draws many students who want to work in social services or counseling. The biology program feeds into pre-med and graduate school tracks. And in recent years, the university has built a strong reputation in cybersecurity. That might surprise some people who still think of small HBCUs as stuck in the past. But Saint Augustine’s University moves with the times. It watches what employers need and adjusts its courses accordingly.
Still, the liberal arts remain important here. The faculty at Saint Augustine’s University believes that a good education is not just about job skills. It is about learning to write clearly, to think critically, to understand history, and to speak with confidence. That is why students take courses in literature, philosophy, and African American studies alongside their major requirements. The goal is not just to produce workers. The goal is to produce citizens.
The arts have a special place on this campus. The marching band, known as the Marching Falcons, has performed in parades and stadiums across the country. Music students rehearse in spaces that echo with gospel, jazz, and classical compositions. Many of them come from families where church music was the first music they ever knew. At Saint Augustine’s University, that tradition is honored. But it is also expanded. Students learn theory, composition, and performance techniques that allow them to work professionally. Some have gone on to win Grammy awards. Others have become music educators in underserved schools.
Athletics bring energy to the campus, especially in the fall. The football team suits up and runs onto the field under bright stadium lights. The crowd cheers. The cheerleaders tumble across the track. And across town, students at Shaw University prepare for the annual rivalry game. That game is more than a game. It is a meeting of two historic HBCUs located just minutes apart. For alumni of Saint Augustine’s University, that weekend is like a family reunion. They come from New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, and beyond. They wear their falcon gear. They hug old classmates. They watch the next generation compete.
But the road has not been smooth. Anyone who follows higher education news has heard about the struggles of Saint Augustine’s University in recent years. Financial problems came like a storm that would not stop. Enrollment dropped. Debt piled up. And in 2023, the regional accrediting agency placed the university on probation. That news hit hard. Parents worried whether their children’s degrees would be worth anything. Students worried about financial aid. Faculty worried about their jobs. It was a dark season.
What happened next surprised some observers. The community that surrounds Saint Augustine’s University did not run away. Instead, they ran toward the fire. Alumni dug into their own pockets. Churches in Raleigh took up special offerings. Local businesses offered internships and work-study positions to keep students enrolled. The board of trustees brought in new leadership with experience in financial turnaround situations. Interim presidents came and went. Each one tried different strategies. Some worked. Some did not. But slowly, the ship began to turn.
By early 2025, the accrediting agency saw enough improvement to remove the probation. That was a moment of celebration on campus. Students hugged each other outside the student center. Professors wiped away tears. The news spread through alumni group chats and family text messages. Saint Augustine’s University was not done. It was not dying. It was fighting back.
Today, the university continues to rebuild. Old buildings are getting new roofs and updated wiring. Dorm rooms are being renovated. A new student union is in the planning stages. The administration knows that physical spaces matter. Students notice when carpets are worn and ceilings leak. They also notice when someone cares enough to fix those things. So the university is investing in its campus, one project at a time.
Enrollment remains a focus. The admissions team at Saint Augustine’s University travels to high school college fairs across the Southeast. They visit churches. They work with community-based organizations that help first-generation students apply for college. Many of the students they recruit are not heavily recruited by other schools. They are students with good grades but limited financial resources. They are students whose parents did not go to college. They are students who need someone to believe in them. That is the exact student this university was founded to serve.
Financial aid is critical here. Most students at Saint Augustine’s University receive some form of assistance. Pell Grants, state scholarships, work-study jobs, and institutional grants combine to make college possible for those who could not otherwise afford it. The financial aid office works one-on-one with families to navigate forms and deadlines. That personal touch matters. It means fewer students drop out because of unexpected bills.
The connection between Saint Augustine’s University and the city of Raleigh grows stronger every year. Students volunteer in public schools. They run health screening events in low-income neighborhoods. They help with voter registration drives. The university sees itself as a community asset, not an island. That mindset has earned goodwill from local government and businesses. When the university faced its accreditation crisis, city leaders spoke publicly in its defense. They knew that losing Saint Augustine’s University would leave a hole in Raleigh that nothing else could fill.
Spiritually, the campus remains rooted in its Episcopal foundation. Weekly chapel services offer a calm pause in the middle of busy weeks. The chaplain holds office hours for students who want to talk about faith, doubt, grief, or purpose. Bible studies meet in dorm lounges and coffee shops. Not every student participates in religious life, and that is fine. But for those who do, the university provides space and support. Many graduates look back on their spiritual formation at Saint Augustine’s University as just as important as their academic training.
Looking forward, the university has a clear plan. It wants to grow online programs so working adults can earn degrees without quitting their jobs. It wants to strengthen partnerships with community colleges so transfer students have a smooth path to a bachelor’s degree. It wants to build an endowment that provides long-term stability. None of these goals is easy. But the people who love Saint Augustine’s University have been through worse. They have seen the brink and stepped back. They have heard the obituaries written prematurely. And they are still here.
For prospective students wondering whether to apply, the answer depends on what they are looking for. If they want a large university with a football stadium that seats sixty thousand people and a student body that fills multiple zip codes, Saint Augustine’s University might not be the right fit. But if they want a place where professors know their name, where history is not just a chapter in a textbook but a living presence, where failure does not mean rejection but redirection, then this small university in Raleigh deserves a serious look.
The cost question always comes up. Private university tuition scares many families. But the net price at Saint Augustine’s University, after grants and scholarships, often comes in lower than the published cost of state schools. The university publishes a net price calculator on its website. Families should use it early in the search process. It provides a realistic picture. And the financial aid counselors are available by phone and email for anyone who needs help understanding the numbers.
Safety is another common concern. The campus has its own public safety department with officers who patrol day and night. Emergency phones are placed throughout the grounds. The university also works closely with the Raleigh Police Department. Crime statistics are available on the university’s website as required by federal law. Most students report feeling safe walking across campus, especially in well-lit areas and during busy hours.
The future of Saint Augustine’s University is not guaranteed. No university’s future is. But this institution has survived things that would have destroyed lesser places. It has endured financial panics, world wars, segregation, accreditation scares, and a pandemic. And every time, it has gotten back up. That resilience is not accidental. It is baked into the mission. The same mission that opened a school for freed slaves in 1867 is the mission that keeps the lights on today. Education for liberation. Opportunity for the overlooked. Hope for the weary.
That is the story of Saint Augustine’s University. Not a story of perfection. A story of persistence.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the religious affiliation of Saint Augustine’s University?
Saint Augustine’s University was founded by the Episcopal Church and continues to maintain a relationship with that denomination. Students of all religious backgrounds are welcome, and no one is required to participate in religious activities. The university provides chapel services, a chaplain, and opportunities for spiritual exploration.
- Is Saint Augustine’s University accredited?
Yes. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. A previous period of probation was lifted in early 2025 after the university demonstrated sufficient progress on financial and governance issues. Current and prospective students can rely on the university’s accredited status for federal financial aid and degree recognition.
- What types of financial aid are available at Saint Augustine’s University?
Students can access federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study programs, state scholarships from North Carolina, and institutional grants directly from the university. The financial aid office encourages all applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as early as possible. Many students receive packages that significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost.
- How do I apply to Saint Augustine’s University?
Applications are submitted through the university’s admissions website. First-year students need official high school transcripts and either SAT or ACT scores, though test-optional policies may apply for some applicants. Transfer students need official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. There is a nonrefundable application fee, but fee waivers are available for eligible students.
- Does Saint Augustine’s University offer online classes?
Yes, the university offers a mix of online and hybrid courses. Plans are underway to expand fully online degree programs for students who cannot relocate to Raleigh. Current online offerings are most robust in the business and graduate education programs.
- What is the student population like at Saint Augustine’s University?
The university enrolls approximately one thousand students, the majority of whom are Black or African American. Many students are first-generation college attendees. The student body includes residents of North Carolina as well as students from other states and a small number of international students. Class sizes are small, and the student-to-faculty ratio is favorable.
- What athletic teams compete under Saint Augustine’s University?
The Falcons compete in NCAA Division II as members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Men’s teams include football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. Women’s teams include basketball, volleyball, softball, and track and field. The marching band and cheerleading squads perform at home games and selected away games.
- What is the graduation rate at Saint Augustine’s University?
Graduation rates vary by cohort and have been affected by recent financial challenges. The university publishes its official graduation rate on its website as required by federal law. Efforts to improve retention and graduation include academic advising, tutoring, and emergency financial assistance for students at risk of dropping out.
- Can I visit the campus of Saint Augustine’s University?
Campus visits are welcome. Prospective students and their families can schedule guided tours through the admissions office. The university also hosts open houses and special recruitment events in the fall and spring. Visitors are encouraged to check the university website for current visitor policies, especially regarding building access and parking.
- What makes Saint Augustine’s University different from other universities in North Carolina?
Three things stand out. First, its history as a post-Civil War normal school for freed African Americans gives it a distinct mission focused on educational equity. Second, its small size allows for close mentorship relationships between faculty and students. Third, its location in Raleigh provides access to internships, cultural activities, and job opportunities in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the Southeast. These factors combine to create an educational experience that is both personal and practical.
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