African American Students: HBCU vs.

PWIs
| May 05, 2013
According to a 2006 study in the article Black Student College Graduation Rates Remain
Low, But Modest Progress Begins to Show published in the Journal of Blacks in Higher
Education (JBHE), states that the graduation rate of African-American students at Historically
Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) is lower than the graduation rate of African-American
students attending a high-ranking institution. High ranking institutions, are institutions that are
ranked nationally among the top 30 by U.S. News and World Report.
However, the study also notes that some HBCUs rank higher than the overall graduation rate
of
African-American students that is at 42 percent.
Like many other students , Ashanti Pierce says she chose to attend UNC Greensboro (UNCG),
versus an HBCU, because she felt that she would get a better education there.
However, According to an article on diverseeducation.com, more than 80 percent of African-
American students are now enrolled in a PWI, yet HBCUs still account for a quarter of African-
American college graduates.
There has been a recent trend of minority students moving from, or choosing predominately
white institutions over HBCUs.
I feel like the real world is more like a PWI than an HBCU, said Deja Williams, a student at
North Carolina State University (NCSU).
Williams explained that she wanted to go to North Carolina Central University(NCCU), an
HBCU. However, because much of her family went there and a third of her graduating class
was attending, she chose another school.
Williams describes NCSU, a PWI, as big, full of diversity and predominately white; just like
our country, just like our government, said Williams.
Kyle Williams, an RJ Reynolds territory marketing manager and UNC Charlotte (UNCC)
Alumni, also feels this same.
I feel that it is a better perspective of the world to attend UNCC rather than A&T because it
gave me more real world experience. Most jobs are not all black or all white ,but mixed or
majority white so it made my college experience more realistic in regard to the world.
Chanel Martin, a senior and human development and family studies major, says that going to
UNCG also has taught her that people come from all different walks of life, and all people
have their own oppressions.
Many African-American students may believe that an HBCU environment is not an
environment where they can receive a good education, sense of the real world, or diversity.
However, Kellie Powell, Brandon Williams and Shelby Jackson still have many positive things
to say about attending an HBCU. Powell, Williams, and Jackson are all students at North
Carolina A&T State University.
Its significant attending an HBCU because there are so many things you can accomplish,
said Williams. Youre basically putting your black race on the map.
Powell further explains that she chose to attend an HBCU because students have the
opportunity to learn about the history of African-Americans and their heritage.
It goes beyond academics, said Powell, HBCUs play a major role creating opportunities for
young people.
Jackson also said that African-Americans at PWIs can get a good education, however students
can also get a good education at an HBCU. She explains that every single time she goes out,
she meets many HBCU graduates who hold successful positions.
I feel like the teachers challenge you more [at an HBCU], because they want you to succeed,
said Jackson.
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