Georgetown University Examines Racial Gap in Graduate Degree Attainment in the United States

In the United States, individuals with a graduate degree experience higher rates of employment and financial benefits. However, a new report from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University has uncovered a racial gap in the representation and equity among Americans who hold an advanced degree.

According to the report, Black Americans represent some 12 percent of the United States population, but only 9 percent of all graduate degree holders. In comparison, White Americans and Asian Americans represent 62 percent and 7 percent of the population, yet make up 68 percent and 13 percent of graduate degree holders, respectively. Additionally, Black American graduate students disproportionally attend private, for-profit schools compared to White, Asian, and Hispanic students, resulting in an increased likelihood of taking on federal student loans and experiencing a higher level of post-graduation debt.

Even when earning the same type of degree, Black Americans with graduate degrees earn less on average than White and Asian Americans. According to the report, Black American graduate degree holders earn a median annual income of $83,000, compared to an average salary of $101,000 among White graduate degree holders and $117,000 among Asian graduate degree holders.

These racial disparities persist when broken down by different fields of study. Black Americans were found to earn less than the median income of graduate degree holders in STEM, business, healthcare, social sciences, and humanities fields. The only field where Black Americans were on par with the median income was education, with an average income of $70,000 per year.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

Graduate Enrollment Surges at Winston-Salem State University

In fall 2024, Winston-Salem State University enrolled 244 new graduate students, an increase of 31.2 percent from the prior year. The HBCU now enrolls nearly 600 graduate students.

Two Black Women College Presidents Announce Their Retirements

Gilda Barbino, president of Olin College of Engineering, and Soraya Coley, president of Cal Poly, Pomona, have announced their plans to retire at the end of this academic year. Both Dr. Barbino and Dr. Coley are the first woman presidents of their institutions.

Norfolk State University to Construct a $118 Million STEM Facility

As part of an ongoing $90 million fundraising campaign, Norfolk State University has announced plans to establish a 131,000-square-foot STEM building to advance its research capabilities and science academic programming.

Two Black Men Selected for Academic Appointments at Universities

The faculty members with new appointments are Christopher Small at Florida State University and Dwight McBride at Washington University in St. Louis.

Featured Jobs