The Color of Success: African-American College Student Outcomes at Predominantly White and Historically Black Public Colleges and Universities

TLDR

Black students’ participation in higher education has fluctuated over time, and recent racial incidents on campuses coupled with economic challenges underscore the urgency of addressing this issue. The study compares the college experiences of Black undergraduates at historically Black colleges and universities with those at predominantly White institutions. Using data from the National Study on Black College Students and building on prior research, the authors examine how key predictors such as institutional support and socioeconomic status influence outcomes for these two student groups. The analysis reveals significant differences in academic and social outcomes between the groups, with findings that suggest broader implications beyond the academic setting.

Abstract

Black students' participation in higher education has experienced periods of growth and decline. The recent resurgence and proliferation of racial incidents on college campuses,coupled with a floundering economy, signals a need to place this issue at the forefront of our educational agenda once again. In this article, Walter R. Allen presents the results of a quantitative study on the differences in the college experience between Black undergraduates who attended historically Black colleges and universities and those who attended predominantly White colleges and universities. Building on the results of a number of related studies and analyzing data from the National Study on Black College Students, Allen further examines the effects of key predictors on college outcomes among these two groups of students. He thus sets the stage for some provocative conclusions, with implications that extend beyond the boundaries of academia.