The American Dividend shows how public HBCUs are strategic national assets, driving educational access, economic mobility, and a diverse, high-skill workforce for the country. It highlights powerful data on surging demand, affordable tuition, strong degree and STEM production, and exceptional upward mobility for graduates—often achieved despite significantly lower endowments and per-student funding than peer institutions. The report ultimately calls on policymakers, philanthropy, and industry to correct historic underfunding and make sustained, equitable investments so public HBCUs can fully power America’s future strength and opportunity.