Historic HBCU in Baltimore nurturing potential and transforming lives since 1900.
Coppin State offers undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs through four colleges: Arts & Sciences and Education; Behavioral & Social Sciences; Business; and Health Professions. The university is classified as a Master's Colleges & Universities institution with small programs and is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Specific programs hold specialized accreditations including CCNE (nursing), CORE (rehabilitation), CACREP (counseling), CSWE (social work), CAHIIM (health informatics), and ACBSP (business). The university maintains a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers 750+ course offerings across 63 areas of study, including undergraduate majors, minors, concentrations, master's degrees, doctoral programs, certificates, and online options. An honors program for high-performing students has operated since 1981.
The university occupies a 52-acre urban campus in Baltimore's West North Avenue area. Student life includes over 30 student organizations and all nine National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Greek organizations. The Eagles compete in NCAA Division I within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), fielding men's teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, tennis, and track & field, and women's teams in basketball, bowling, cross country, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Notable athletic achievements include a 1997 upset victory over South Carolina in the NCAA tournament and becoming the first team to reach the NCAA tournament with 20 losses in 2007–08. The student body is 83% Black, 5% international, 4% Hispanic, with 55% low-income and 45% affluent students.
Coppin accepts undergraduate, transfer, graduate, international, and non-degree students. Graduate applicants must submit a $50 application fee, official transcripts from all previous schools, test scores (may be optional), and three letters of recommendation. The university offers pathways for adult learners, military service members and veterans, and an honors program. New students participate in orientation, first-year experience programs, and the Summer Academic Success Academy (SASA). The application process is available online through the university's admissions portal.
Coppin State operates several research centers including the Bishop L. Robinson Sr. Justice Institute, Center for Nanotechnology, Center for Organic Synthesis, Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship, Laboratory for Environmental Contaminants, NASA Science Activation Program, and Ophthalmic Research Laboratory. Notable alumni include NBA player Larry Stewart (1991), first female coach in professional men's basketball Stephanie Ready (1998), and Baltimore's first African American Police Commissioner Bishop L. Robinson. The university is ranked #1 for male enrollment growth and male retention among HBCUs in Maryland, and #1 for safest residential university in Baltimore City.