African Americans have made substantial progress over the past decade in increasing their share of degrees awarded at every level of higher education.
In 2000, Blacks earned 10.9 percent of all associate’s degrees awarded to U.S. residents by degree-granting institutions in this country. A decade later, Blacks earned 13.7 percent of all associate’s degrees.
For bachelor’s degrees, Blacks earned 9 percent of all awards in 2000. This figure increased to 10.3 percent in 2010.
The most substantial progress occurred in master’s degree awards. In 2000, Blacks earned 9 percent of master’s degrees. By 2010, 12.5 percent of all master’s degrees were awarded to Blacks.
In doctoral degrees, Blacks earned 6.6 percent of all awards in 2000 and 7.4 percent of all doctoral degrees granted in 2010.
