Looking Beyond Graduation: How HBCU-Labor Market Investments Can Help Reduce Wage Gaps

• In Event: Beyond the Degree: Outcomes and Costs Associated With College

Abstract

Since their founding, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), have provided degrees to millions of Black students. However, since the Higher Education Act (1965), they have faced criticism and divestment, making up only 1.6% of Federal Title IV funds. Presently, there are 100 four-year HBCUs across 21 states. Using full-time enrollment and graduation data from the National Center of Education Statistics’ (NCES) 2022-2023 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), we found that while HBCUs comprise only 9% of all four-year institutions, they enroll 24% (while graduating 23%) of all Black undergraduate students in their respective states. Using the 2016-2017 Postbaccalaureate and Beyond Dataset, we found Black graduates from HBCUs were predicted to make $3000 more despite participating in unpaid internships.

Authors

• Bernard Reyes, Loyola Marymount University

• Joseph-Emery L. Kouaho, Kindred Futures