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Change in Black vs. Overall College Enrollment, by Sector, Fall 2010 to Fall 2017

Almanac 2019
August 18, 2019

Overall college enrollment dropped by more than 1.2 million from 2010 to 2017, with the percentage decrease for black students more than double that of all students. Enrollment drops in the two-year and four-year for-profit sectors, which experienced many college closings, and the two-year public-college sector contributed to the overall decrease. Percentage decreases in enrollment in the for-profit sectors were greater for all students than for black students, while black students had a greater percentage drop in enrollment in the two-year public sector than did all students. Percentage growth in the four-year public sector was nearly twice as great for all students as it was for black students.

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Overall college enrollment dropped by more than 1.2 million from 2010 to 2017, with the percentage decrease for black students more than double that of all students. Enrollment drops in the two-year and four-year for-profit sectors, which experienced many college closings, and the two-year public-college sector contributed to the overall decrease. Percentage decreases in enrollment in the for-profit sectors were greater for all students than for black students, while black students had a greater percentage drop in enrollment in the two-year public sector than did all students. Percentage growth in the four-year public sector was nearly twice as great for all students as it was for black students.


Number of students per sector, fall 2010Number of students per sector, fall 2017Change in number of students from fall 2010 to fall 2017Percentage change in number of students from fall 2010 to fall 2017
All studentsBlack or African-American studentsAll studentsBlack or African-American studentsAll studentsBlack or African-American studentsAll studentsBlack or African-American students
4-year public 7,924,108 870,618 8,853,477 926,214 929,369 55,596 11.7% 6.4%
4-year private nonprofit 3,821,799 415,647 4,058,087 441,618 236,288 25,971 6.2% 6.2%
4-year for-profit 1,589,934 364,284 912,076 231,130 -677,858 -133,154 -42.6% -36.6%
2-year public 7,218,063 1,016,698 5,706,678 741,785 -1,511,385 -274,913 -20.9% -27.0%
2-year private nonprofit 32,379 7,148 48,125 16,152 15,746 9,004 48.6% 126.0%
2-year for-profit 432,851 102,435 186,890 55,302 -245,961 -47,133 -56.8% -46.0%
Over all 21,019,134 2,776,830 19,765,333 2,412,201 -1,253,801 -364,629 -6.0% -13.1%

Note: Data are based on fall head counts of all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students at U.S. degree-granting two-year and four-year institutions that were eligible for Title IV federal financial aid. Students who identify themselves as being of two or more races are excluded. Questions or comments on the Almanac should be sent to Ruth Hammond.

Source: Chronicle analysis of U.S. Department of Education data Chronicle analysis of U.S. Department of Education data


To purchase a copy of the Almanac in print or as a downloadable interactive PDF, visit the Chronicle Store.

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A version of this article appeared in the August 23, 2019, issue.
Read other items in this Changes in African-American Enrollment package.
We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
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