A Large Gender Gap in Black Bachelor’s Degree Awards: But Black Men Are Also Making Gains

In the 2003-04 academic year, black women earned 87,390 bachelor’s degrees, almost double the number earned by black men. Black women now earn two thirds of all bachelor’s degrees obtained by African Americans. But do not be mistaken. Contrary to press reports and common opinion, black men too have made progress. Over the past decade, the number of bachelor’s degrees earned by black men is up more than 40 percent. This is triple the gain posted by white men, but it still pales in comparison to the gains posted by black women.

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