Degree Attainment for Black Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly White Institutions: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

• In Event: Student Persistence

Abstract

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are crucially important for providing Black students with access to postsecondary opportunities. This study examines how attending an HBCU impacts chances to persist and graduate when compared to Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). We use a nationally representative dataset and a combination of multilevel modeling and propensity score matching to reduce potential selection bias. Our findings point towards a significant positive effect for Black students attending HBCUs over PWIs. More specifically, results for the average treatment effect (ATE) show that, after controlling for individual and institutional level factors, students at HBCUs have a 15.8% higher likelihood to graduate in six years. Further educational outcomes will be examined and policy implications discussed.

Authors

• Ray Franke, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Linda DeAngelo, University of Pittsburgh