What Degrees Are You Offering? The Institutional Role in Inequitable College Outcomes for Students of Color

• In Event: Roundtable Session 38
  In Roundtable Session: Division J Section 6 Roundtable 8

Abstract

Through the examination of the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data, the authors highlight the disparity in degree offerings among three groups of community college institutions—Predominantly White Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions and Predominantly Latino Institutions. The authors apply their findings on the unequal distribution of degree offerings by institution type to the inequitable outcomes experienced by underrepresented students of color post degree completion. The authors assert that because degree type matters for career options, lifetime earnings, and job stability, institutions need to take responsibility for equity in students' success by addressing the depth and breadth of degrees they offer to combat the disproportionate outcomes experienced by minority students.

Authors

• Keith Witham, University of Southern California

• Raquel M. Rall, University of Southern California