Contrary to Reports in the Press, There Is No Surge in Hispanic Enrollments at the Black Colleges

This past August the Associated Press distributed a story headlined, “Black Colleges Diversifying by Recruiting More Hispanics.” The article stated that because black colleges are facing increased competition from predominantly white institutions, they in turn are looking to expand their enrollment base by recruiting more Hispanic students.

The article gave the impression that the push by black colleges for Hispanic students is a widespread phenomenon.

But a JBHE analysis of new data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that very few Hispanic students are choosing to enroll at black colleges and universities. In fact, Hispanics make up more than 5 percent of the total enrollment at only three black colleges. All of these colleges are located in areas with large Hispanic populations.

In contrast, at all but nine black colleges, Hispanics are less than 2 percent of all students. At a majority of the nation’s black colleges, Hispanics are less than one half of one percent of the student body. Seven black colleges and universities report no Hispanic students whatsoever.

Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.