For the 15th consecutive year, the University boasts the highest black student graduation rate among the nation’s public undergraduate institutions, according to a report released by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.
88.9 percent of black students at the University graduated in six years or less, according to data from the University’s Institutional Assessment and Studies office. Comparatively, the University’s overall undergraduate graduation rate is about 93 percent. The University’s lead against the next closest public universities in The Journal’s rankings also is wide; the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the University of California, Berkeley, both graduated 73 percent of black students. National graduation rates are much lower, as only 44 percent of black students earn degrees in six years or less.
The University also is eighth out of the 29 public and private universities that boast the highest black graduation rates in the country, according to The Journal’s report.
University Dean of Admissions Greg Roberts said the University’s continued success graduating black students instills pride within the University community. This sense of pride, he said, may in turn attract more black students to apply.
“We are proud of our graduation rates and [they] certainly make our life easier because they show [that] all students at the University are graduating at high rates,” Roberts said.
Bill Harvey, vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity, said the successes of black students, as denoted by the University’s high graduation rate, is largely a result of the Office of African-American Affairs.
“We attract outstanding students and when they arrive at the institution, they take full advantage of the opportunities here and they have an incredibly resourceful peer network that’s coordinated through the Office of African-American Affairs,” Harvey said.
Roberts also attributed the University’s success to resources available to all students.
“Peer advising helps all students regardless of whether they are black, white, Hispanic or Asian,” Roberts said. “The University does a great job of supporting students academically and otherwise here.”
Roberts added that he hopes students will continue using these resources, as there is potential to raise the University’s black student graduation rate even higher. Harvard University led all schools with a black student graduation rate of 96 percent, and the University’s black women continue to outpace their male counterparts. According to data from the University’s Institutional Assessment and Studies office, 91 percent of women graduate, whereas only 83 percent of black men achieve degrees at the University.
The University, though, anticipates an increase in black graduation rates in future years, Harvey said.
“We’re examining some issues right now in connection with the current Vice Provost of Educational Programs [to ascend the list for highest graduation rates of both public and private universities],” Harvey said. “I think increasing student involvement in undergraduate research opportunities is something we can look into [to increase our standings].”
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