Say What? Black Men Are Actually Making Progress in College Enrollments

Readers of this journal are well aware of the fact that black women far outperform black men in almost every area of higher education. But contrary to much of the conventional wisdom, black males too are making progress in higher education enrollments.

In 2004 there were 758,400 black males enrolled in higher education. They made up 10 percent of all male enrollments and 4.4 percent of all enrollments in higher education.

In 1990 there were 484,700 black males enrolled in higher education. They made up 6.4 percent of all male enrollments and 3.5 percent of all enrollments in higher education. Black men are increasing their numbers in higher education and they make up a significantly larger percentage of the total enrollment than was the case 15 years ago.

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