Combating the Decline of Black Male Enrollment at HBCUs

There is a decline in Black male HBCU enrollment, unfortunately.

Historically Black colleges and universities have experienced a drastic decline in Black male student enrollment in the decade between 2010 and 2020, according to a new report from the non-partisan research group, American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM).

Where is this data coming from? It’s coming from “HBCUs at a Crossroads: Addressing the Decline in Black Male Enrollment,” which analyzed data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System regarding Black male enrollment at HBCUs. DJ Windsor, AIBM research and program analyst, co-authored the report with Richard Reeves, the AIBM President.

They found that “HBCUs experienced an overall enrollment decline of 11% from 2010, which is consistent with trends seen across all colleges and universities. But the decline in Black male enrollment is even more pronounced at 25% compared to 22% across all other institutions.”

Although Black males accounted for 38% of students at HBCUs in 1976, those students now represent just 26%, which is a decrease in number compared to 1976. Still, the increase in non-Black students, up 26% of HBCU enrollments, has offset Black male declines.

This decline suggests that influential factors are transpiring, including “inadequate K-12 preparation, a lack of Black male teachers, and financial barriers both individually and institutionally.”

“HBCUs are uniquely positioned to address the specific needs of Black students, offering an environment that not only supports academic achievement but also promotes mental health, social mobility and economic empowerment,” the authors of the report said, citing “The Paradox of HBCU Graduation Rates.”

This report suggests that controlling student preparedness, institutional financial health, instructional spending and other institutional factors impacts HBCUs going up 10 percentage points higher than those at non-HBCUs.

These authors also recommend addressing the issues through interventions, as well as expanded funding to reverse the decline the negative trend and increase the opportunities for Black men at HBCUs.

“Targeted interventions in K-12 education in Black communities, increasing the representation of Black male teachers, and expanding funding opportunities for HBCUs and their potential students could all help increase Black male enrollment,” they said. “Reforms in these critical areas could help HBCUs realize their full potential in supporting the educational and economic advancement of Black men.”

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