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Predominantly Black Institutions: Pathways to Black Student Educational Attainment

21 March 2019 In Featured Reports

Predominantly Black Institutions: Pathways to Black Student Educational Attainment

By Betsy Prueter

A recent research brief on Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) from The Center for Minority Serving Institutions at the University of Pennsylvania noted that while PBIs only make up 3% of college institutions, they enroll 9% of Black college students. In addition, while the number of Black students enrolling in college is increasing, PBIs are among the least studied types of institutions in the U.S. The brief analyzed five successful PBIs and how they have served Black students in addition to providing context on the history of PBIs.

Among the findings:

  • PBIs were first recognized in 2007 and were incorporated into the Higher Education Act in 2008. Eligible institutions are permitted to apply for federal funding to extend their capacity to serve low- and middle-income Black students.
  • At least 40% of an institution’s student population must be African-American in order to be federally recognized as a PBI. In addition, the institution must have an enrollment of at least 1,000 total students and at least 50% of all undergraduates must be low-income or first-generation college students.
  • Currently, there are 104 PBIs in the U.S., many in the Southeast and most are two-year public community and technical colleges. The average percentage of Black students at these institutions is 53%.
  • To be a designated PBI, institutions can NOT be an History Black College and University (HBCU). Unlike HBCUs, PBIs do not have to have a stated mission of serving Black American students but like HBCUs, they are providing access to low-income and first-generation Black students
  • The institutions highlighted in the brief were Chicago State University, Trinity Washington University, Community College of Philadelphia, Georgia State University and Baton Rouge Community College. These colleges were featured for using federal funds to offer academic and support services targeting Black student achievement and for providing access to students who may not have otherwise enrolled in college.