Xavier University Produces Twice the Number of Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics Than Any Other Black College or University

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) reports that more than 5,300 students earned bachelor’s degrees in physics in 2006, the latest year for which data is available. The number of students earning bachelor’s degrees in physics has increased in each of the past seven years. African Americans earn about 1 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in the field of physics.

The AIP report found that among all of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities Xavier University in New Orleans is the top producer of physics majors. An average of 16 black students earn bachelor’s degrees in physics each year at Xavier University. This is more than double the average number of physics majors at Benedict College, which ranks second among the black colleges and universities. Spelman College produces the third most physics graduates among the black colleges.

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