Research Finds an Expanding Wealth Gap at Higher Levels of Education

A new study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis finds that education, particularly higher education, has a significant impact on levels of family wealth. However, higher education does not pay off as much for African Americans as it does for White Americans in terms of family wealth.

The data shows that Black families with a head that has a college of education holds only 79 percent of the wealth of White families with a head who has a college degree. Black families with a head who has a graduate degree have average wealth that is only 85 percent of White families with a head who has only a bachelor’s degree.

The data also shows that although education has a positive impact on family wealth, the wealth gap between Black and White families expands at higher levels of education.

The study, “Unequal Degrees of Affluence: Racial and Ethnic Wealth Differences Across Education Levels,” may be downloaded by clicking here.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Featured Jobs