A National Imperative: Addressing Black Student Enrollment

Since 2011, Black student college enrollments have been declining steadily, particularly at community colleges, which have historically represented a critical access point for Black learners as relatively affordable, open-access institutions. The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ health, safety and economical security have only accelerated these declines.

Between 2011-2019 Black community college enrollments dropped by 26%.

This 26% drop represents a pre-pandemic loss of almost 300,000 students. Adding in the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black community college enrollment in 2020 dropped by another 100,000 students, an enrollment level similar to enrollments in 2000-01. Taking into account available public data since 2020, declines today are closer to a 44% drop nationally in Black community college enrollments.

Decades of progress in educational opportunity and economic mobility have been erased. 

A National Imperative: Addressing Black Student Enrollment

Prior to COVID-19, Black student enrollments began declining precipitously, particularly at community colleges. Initial data analysis suggests that the students are not shifting over to the four-year sector—it appears they are choosing to leave the postsecondary education system or not enroll at all.

These data are not new, but our national response must be.