Diversity Across HBCUs: A Longitudinal Study with IPEDS Data
In the United States, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play an important role in the country’s educational landscape. These institutions were established with the primary aim of providing higher education to Black Americans, particularly in the era of segregation when most postsecondary institutions were not open to people of color. While the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862 allowed colleges and universities to provide education to people from various social strata, only one institution, Alcorn State University in Mississippi, welcomed Black students.
It wasn’t until the passing of the second Land-Grant Act in 1890 that states were mandated to either open their land-grant institutions to Black students or provide funding to Black institutions. As a result, 16 exclusively Black institutions were established, and additional HBCUs were founded by the Freedmen’s Bureau, Black churches, and the American Missionary Association. These institutions not only provided access to higher education but also served as pillars of Black communities, offering a sense of belonging, support, and cultural identity.
There are currently 101 HBCUs situated in 19 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with 51 being public institutions and 50 being private nonprofit institutions. The sectoral breakdown of the institutions is given below:
While historically HBCUs were founded with the purpose of providing education to black students, in recent times, they have opened their doors to students of other races. In the year 2021, around 25 % of the students enrolled in HBCUs are non-Black, which marks a notable increase from the 15 % recorded in 1976 [1].
Nowadays, some students are choosing to go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) because these schools have a good reputation and offer help to students to be successful after they graduate. Some white students from the Southern states are also going to HBCUs. But some black students are worried that as more white students come, the schools might lose their special purpose and culture [2].
Many institutions aim to increase racial diversity to acquire more funding. HBCU recruiters argue that this is crucial as White students from affluent backgrounds can pay full tuition, while many Black students from underprivileged backgrounds require financial aid. However, bringing students of diverse races to historically Black colleges is not only about money, as HBCUs value diversity for educational and social advantages. They believe that having students from different backgrounds is necessary for success in an increasingly multicultural world [3].
Given this backdrop of historical racial and ethnic disparities, it is interesting to look at the trend of enrollment patterns among different racial and ethnic groups at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Specifically, exploring which demographic group exhibits a greater preference for which HBCUs over time can shed light on the evolving dynamics of diversity and inclusion in HBCUs.
The analysis included enrollment rates for various races and ethnic groups over the last 5 years at different HBCUs. The data was sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and compared across various types of institutions, including public and private 2+ year non-profit degree-granting organizations. The analysis examined the enrollment trends over the past 5 years for various racial and ethnic groups, namely American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, White, Two or more races, and Unknown.
Location of HBCUs:
HBCUs are in various regions across the United States but mostly located in the southeastern region of the United States, particularly in states such as Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Relatively stable enrollment for Black or African American Students:
Based on the analysis, we have found that that enrollment among Black or African American students at HBCUs remained relatively steady over the past five years. While enrollment increased at public 4-year institutions, it decreased at private 4-year institutions and remained largely consistent at public 2-year institutions.
A Decrease in White Enrollment:
During the past 5 years, the proportion of White students enrolled in HBCUs has dropped from 9.15% to approximately 8% of the overall enrollment. This trend can be observed across all types of institutions, with the greatest decline occurring in public 2-year institutions.
An Increase in Enrollment for Other Minority Groups:
Enrollment rates for other minority groups such as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, two or more races, and Unknown have been increasing. In the last five years, the combined proportion of students from these groups has risen from 10.33% to 12.16%. This trend is evident in both public 2-year and private 4-year institutions. However, enrollment rates in public 4-year institutions have remained relatively stable.
Enrollment of Women on the Rise:
In the past 5 years, there has been an increase in the percentage of women who are enrolling at HBCUs. This trend is evident in both 2-year and 4-year public institutions, whereas private 4-year institutions have experienced a decline in female enrollment during the same period.
In conclusion, HBCUs have played a significant role in providing higher education to Black Americans and continue to do so today. While these institutions were initially established to serve Black students, they have become more diverse in recent years. However, concerns have been raised that increased diversity may dilute the special culture and purpose of these institutions. An analysis of enrollment patterns over the last five years shows that while Black or African American enrollment has remained relatively stable, there has been a decrease in White enrollment and an increase in enrollment for other minority groups. Additionally, enrollment of women has been on the rise. These trends shed light on the evolving dynamics of diversity and inclusion in HBCUs and the need for these institutions to continue to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.
References
1. (n.d.). Historically Black Colleges and Universities. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=667.
2. (2004, November 19). Demographics at HBCUs Changing, More Whites Enrolling. Howard University News Service. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://hunewsservice.com/news/demographics-at-hbcus-changing-more-whites-enrolling/.
3. Stewart, M. (2021, February 10). HBCUs Are Becoming More Diverse, But Not Everyone Considers That a Good Thing. Insight Into Diversity. https://www.insightintodiversity.com/hbcus-are-becoming-more-diverse-but-not-everyone-considers-that-a-good-thing/
