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7th Annual Public HBCU Demographic Study


NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) released its annual comprehensive demographic study today, which provides an in-depth look at the enormous impact that public Historically Black Colleges and Universities make in their local, regional, statewide and national communities.

The study is organized around 11 topic areas inlcuding Enrollment, Admissions, Retention, Degrees, Faculty, Financial Aid, College Costs, Institutional Finances, Technology, School Reform Partnerships and Community Outreach Initiatives. Viewed as the leading source for information annually on the public HBCUs beyond the IPEDS data, the report is a critical source for grant writing, research and studying trends for new program development.

"With 80% of the overall HBCU student population attending public HBCUs, the study highlights the enormous impact public HBCUs have on their local communities as economic instruments and community change agents." said Dwayne Ashley, President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

As a part of TMCF’s research program area, the study serves as the largest source of trend data on the public HBCUs for researchers, philanthropy, higher education leaders and HBCU scholars. Highlights from the study include:

  • Trend data shows that Black male enrollment increased more than 3% in the past two years. Of faculty reporting race and gender, 31% are black males. Of those holding doctorate degrees, 33% were black males.
  • Fall 2005 combined enrollment increased by 1.3% totaling 235,360.  
  • 24,617 Bachelor Degrees were conferred in the 2005-2006 term. STEM accounted for 15% of Bachelor Degrees and 34% of Master Degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Business and Management is the most popular degree conferred, with Social Sciences and Education as the second and third most popular degrees conferred.
  • 62% of the 34,619 first-time new freshman returned to continue their education. Thirteen institutions reported retention rate of 70% or better.
  • Public HBCUs reflected stronger racial and ethnic diversity of students and faculty than majority institutions. Student populations show that African Americans represent 83%, White Americans represent 9%, Hispanic Americans represent 2% and Asian Americans represent 1% of total enrollment. Of faculty reporting race and gender; 27% are non-black males, 27% are black females and 15% are non-black females.
  • Eighteen Universities reported working with local school districts in as many as 56 programs to close the achievement gap. Eight universities reported having charter schools that served 1,667 students.

The full report can be accessed online at: http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/demo-report/2.html

About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc., named for the late U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice, was established in 1987 and represents 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) located in 22 states with a population of well over 235,000 students. Over the last 20 years, Thurgood Marshall College Fund has awarded more than $91 million in scholarships, programmatic, and capacity support, enabling over 7,500 students to attend public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.   Thurgood Marshall College Fund also provides internship programs and joins corporate and foundation partners in providing leadership training and support to students preparing for undergraduate and professional schools. Thurgood Marshall College Fund is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. Please visit the Thurgood Marshall College Fund at www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org.


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