Michelle J. Nealy, Diverse Issues in Higher Education
- Despite nagging financial problems, accreditation troubles and relatively low graduation rates, historically Black colleges continue to remain an integral part of the educational equation for African-Americans and are growing in popularity, according to a comprehensive new study by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Although HBCUs only comprise 3 percent of American colleges and universities, they enroll nearly one in every four African-American college students. The annual report, “Thurgood Marshall College Fund Demographic Report,” is based on the 2005-06 academic year and reveals an enrollment growth trend at public HBCUs. In 2002, public HBCUs enrolled 206,000 students; that number increased significantly by 2006, totaling 235,000.
In 2004, nearly 34,000 first-time freshmen enrolled at TMCF member institutions, public HBCUs such as Bowie State University in Maryland or Alabama A&M University. In 2005, 62 percent of these students returned to continue their education.
