as to the comparison question i couldn't tell you 100%. i was one of about 500 who graduated my undergrad year and about 200 my graduate year...the point is:

the school is there to provide an education...what you do with that (be it go "work for the man" or go for delf) is 100% on you.

going back to the original point, (whether the schools are needed) there are many who are provided an opportunity to be educated in a "traditional" college/university setting they couldn't get otherwise

true, not all courses and facilities are top choice...but that is just as true at "white schools" as hbcus and in either case the experience is what the individual makes of it