EAB, an educational consulting firm, has released findings from their 2024 First-Year Experience Survey, a polling of over 12,000 first-year college students from across the country regarding their experiences with bias and sense of belonging on campus.
According to study results, 34 percent of Black participants stated they have felt discriminated or harassed on campus due to their identity. The survey also asked students if they had witnessed discrimination or harassment towards another student on campus. Over 36 percent of all respondents stated they had witnessed some form of racial prejudice directed at another student during their first year on campus.
When asked if they felt satisfied with their college experience, 84 percent of all students responded positively. However, this rate was lower among Black students, with 79 percent of Black respondents reporting satisfaction with their college experience, compared to 86 percent of White students.
Additionally, the survey found differences in what factors led to students’ levels of satisfaction with their first year of college. White students were most likely to attribute a sense of belonging as the main reason for their satisfaction. Black students were most likely to report student support programs, such as career services and financial aid counseling as the biggest drivers, of their satisfaction.
The full report is available to download here.
