“Over rated” depends on what kind of ratings system you’re using of course. I didn’t go to Morehouse or to an HBCU for that matter but I’d argue that for a variety a reasons that the Morehouse experience and education might be “better” suited for most African-American men that a Hamden-Sydney one would be. Like all HBCUs, Morehouse’s entry stats are skewed by the range of students they accept. Part of that may be due to “mission” and part of that is just the spectrum of such stats for all AA students in the yearly application pool. If you’re going by high school stats alone though, Morehouse (and Spelman, Howard, Hampton, etc.) still do attract a good portion of top Black students, comparable to Black students matriculating anywhere, including places like Dartmouth and Williams. But beyond the high school stats–which mean nothing after you’re accepted-- you have to look at the outcomes.
For Black men, Morehouse is a key pipeline to top graduate school and programs. I’ve seen it turn many a mediocre high school student into Ivy League grad students, doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, professors, etc. From afar, I have a great deal of respect for Morehouse’s liberal arts tradition; you don’t see any Basket Weaving majors coming out of Morehouse. Take a glance at what the black students at places like Hamden-Sydney are majoring in. And are they majoring in those things because they’re getting weeded out of hard majors because of the lack of nurturing and support that they might get at Morehouse? Do they lack mentors or the fellowship of students with similar struggles or experiences? Is the expectation of success higher at Morehouse?
Most Morehouse grads come out of school, charged, confident and with broad academic exposure, prepared to take on the most rigorous grad programs and professions around. Also, One notable ranking where Morehouse consistency comes out on top is alumni satisfaction. Schools change over time and no two people’s academic experiences are going to be exactly alike, but I think that is telling that so many Morehouse grads have such high regard for their experience and how well it prepared them for their lives and careers.