Going Under: The True Cost of Higher Education for Students of Color
When it comes to equity in the higher education space, all experiences are not created equal, especially for students of color. Gaps exist not just in access but in persistence and completion alike. Simply put, the cost of post-secondary education is higher for Black and brown students. And this isn’t just about the tuition either. It’s about the total cost of ownership when it comes to degree attainment. Students of color are going under. In the underrepresentation, underfinancing, and under-compensation, we can see that the cost is much higher than tuition, books, room, and board.
Underrepresented
According to McKinsey & Company, historically marginalized racial and ethnic populations are still underrepresented in higher education among undergraduates, faculty, and leadership. Students from these groups also have worse academic outcomes as measured by graduation rates. Only 8 percent of institutions have at least equitable student representation while helping students from underrepresented populations graduate at the same rate as the general US undergraduate population.[1]
I’m not surprised, as I see this on the campuses I visit. Our campuses reflect an inaccurate picture of diversity within the US population. When our students of color decide to pursue higher education, they are making a choice to enter spaces that were not initially designed for their presence. There are inherent costs associated with this choice. First, facing constant reminders of being “one of few” or “the only” creates a layer of stress. Similar challenges arise when a student is first-generation or among only a few in their family to attend college. Then there is the stress of maintaining academic and engagement progress. Students of color are also faced with avoiding stereotype threats and not “wasting opportunities” that others don’t have. Finally, when underrepresentation is a factor, students are often left unsure about the career pathways accessible to them. Not seeing themselves in leadership positions can leave questions about what comes next. I don’t mean to sound cliche, but representation does matter.
Underfinanced
After significant increases since 2008, the net price of public four-year institutions accounted for 23 percent of a family’s median household income nationwide in 2017. The disparaging impact comes into focus when looking at the barriers to employment and income faced by Black and Hispanic families.[2] A five-year study by the National College Attainment Network revealed institutions became relatively less affordable in thirty-three states by an average of $1,101.[3] The gaps in college affordability highlight racial differences in educational decisions and debt accumulation.
Many students of color go to college without the ability to afford it. This challenge is initiated at the K-12 level, with underfunded schools lacking the resources to prepare students for college and career success. According to The Education Trust, districts with the largest populations of Black, Latinx, or Native American students receive about 13% less per-student funding than other school districts.[4] The domino effect continues when they enter higher education institutions. The Center for American Progress noted that institutions where black and Hispanic students disproportionately
get their credentials spend less per student. A quarter of white credential holders leaving school in 2015 attended an institution that spent at least $16,000 per student, whereas the top quarter of Black and Hispanic graduates finished at institutions paying at least $13,000-$14,000 per student, a difference in spending of 16 percent to 20 percent.[5]
Students of color often accumulate debt to obtain credentials that are supposed to increase their earning potential. Essentially, underfunding creates a cumulative hardship for our students. They are building debt through student loans or working simultaneously to afford courses. Both scenarios impact their ability to enjoy the “fancy-free” years of college living. Our Black and brown students are facing hardships at a higher rate of increase than their peers. It’s time for our institutions to realign funding and resources to address racial inequities in higher education.
Undercompensated
In America, we have normalized being under-compensated, especially for people of color. After accumulating debt towards additional education in hopes of increased wages, Black students are faced with finding jobs that will support their families and pay off their student loans. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Black unemployment rate among college graduates averaged 2.8 percent from November 2018 to October 2019. This is 40 percent higher than the 2 percent rate reported for white college graduates in the same period.[6]
Our graduates are walking into the workforce at a deficit. Studies show that Black workers have fewer well-paying, stable jobs with benefits than their white peers. Furthermore, Blacks typically make less than their white counterparts, even in solid labor markets.[7] Now, think about that from the perspective of a 22-year-old who has just busted their butt to finish college as a first-generation or nontraditional student. Or even from the vantage point of a contemplative 17-year-old. Is the compensation worth the hassle and hurdles of higher education?
Through systematic opposition, discrimination, and other factors, higher education comes at a higher cost for Black and brown students. Our students are going under to get ahead, under-representation, underfunding, and compensation. It’s time that we look at how we can address these areas in a way that will best support students of color. How do we encourage and equip them for higher education when counting the actual cost adds up to more than they were prepared for? I believe this is a conversation worth having.
Moreover, I believe it’s an opportunity to do something different. Let’s stop conveniently casting Black and brown students as underdogs in the story of pursuing the American dream. That narrative is played out.
