Open AccessThe primary purpose of this research study is to know how recession affected Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Analysis was based on data obtained from the schools’ fact books. The HBCU’s chosen were Grambling State University, Southern University Baton Rouge, Alabama A&M University and Prairie View A&M University. The Non-Historically Black Colleges and Universities were used for comparison. GSU, Southern University Baton Rouge, Alabama A&M University and Prairie View A&M University all lost their percentage of a state appropriations for 2005and 2007. Louisiana Tech was the only school that went from negative to positive in percentage of state appropriation. From the state appropriations chart downturn could negatively impact factors of success for each university. In addition to the state appropriations; tuition, alumni resources, and other school fees all impacted the Universities’ revenue for each year. Each of the schools maintained a consistent percentage change rate. Enrollments declined and at the same time endowments dropped and fundraising sources dried up.