The American Council on Education and the Minority-Serving Institutions Data Project have recently released a new report highlighting the critical role that historically Black college and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) play in advancing economic mobility for students of color.
Overall, graduates of MSIs have median earnings that are often higher than those of their peers at similar institutions. They also serve as crucial transfer destinations for students of color.
Four-year HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs consistently award a significantly higher number of degrees to their target populations than other institutions. On average, each HBCU awards 455.4 bachelor’s degrees to Black students per year, compared to 146.3 at non-MSIs. Predominately-Black institutions (PBIs) award even more bachelor’s degrees to Black students, averaging 607.2 annually.
Similar trends were found among the country’s community colleges. Two-year HBCUs award an annual average of 213.8 associate’s degrees and 249.5 certificates to Black students, compared to 64.8 associate’s degrees and 67.2 certificates at non-MSIs. Two-year PBIs award an annual average of 297.3 associate’s degrees and 403.1 certificates to Black students
“The success of these institutions in educating and empowering historically underrepresented students is not only a matter of equity but also a matter of national interest,” the authors write. “Investing in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs yields exponential returns, as these institutions serve as engines of economic growth, social mobility, and ladders of opportunity for millions of students and their communities. Their work goes beyond addressing historical inequities; it is essential to building a stronger, more inclusive, and more competitive future for the nation. By bolstering public and private support for these institutions, we can ensure they continue to expand access, elevate outcomes, and transform lives.”
