New Report Highlights the Value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Title: The Significant Value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Authors: Dave Clayton, Melissa Leavitt, Nichole Torpey-Saboe

Source: Strada Center for Education Consumer Insights

A recent analysis by Strada seeks to highlight the significant value of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

The authors used data from three surveys—the Strada-Gallup Education Survey, the Strada Outcomes Survey, and the National Survey of Student Engagement—to better understand the experiences and outcomes of HBCU students and alumni. The report draws attention to how HBCUs provide “engaging, supportive, and career-relevant educational experiences that prepare students for fulfilling lives.”

Several key findings emerged from the authors’ analysis:

• Black HBCU students and alumni reported greater postsecondary satisfaction—such as learning skills, cost and quality of education, and outcomes for employment—compared to Black alumni from non-HBCUs.
• Black HBCU students were more likely to participate in career-oriented activities, including networking, career advising, and mock interviews, than Black students at non-HBCUs
• Black HBCU alumni were more likely to indicate their education helped them meet goals across various facets of their lives, compared to Black alumni from non-HBCUs. Examples of this include being “able to support myself and my family,” being “a good role model,” and becoming “the best person I can be.”
• Black HBCU alumni reported higher value in engagement with classes, faculty, and mentors than peers at non-HBCUs. Of note, Black alumni at non-HBCUs had higher ratings for the value of research experiences than did Black HBCU alumni.

Click here to read the full report.

—Danielle Melidona