HBCU Contributions to Black Bachelor’s Degree Attainment in Selected STEM Fields from 2014 to 2023

Dr. Collette Bloom
Texas Southern University

Dr. Emiel W. Owens
Texas Southern University

Abstract
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) play an important role in Black students’ attainment of degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This study examines HBCU contributions to bachelor’s degree awards to Black or African American students in six selected STEM fields from 2014 to 2023. Using Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System data, the descriptive analysis compares annual degree counts, cumulative awards, and HBCU shares across eligible four-year institutions. During the study period, institutions awarded 248,409 degrees in the selected fields, including 47,405 at HBCUs (19.1%). Annual awards increased by 52.2% across all institutions and by 9.2% at HBCUs. Despite this increase in HBCU output, their share declined from 23.8% in 2014 to 17.1% in 2023 as awards grew more rapidly at non-HBCU institutions. Biological and biomedical sciences accounted for the largest cumulative number of awards, whereas computer and information sciences experienced the greatest percentage growth. HBCUs conferred 23.8% of biological and biomedical sciences awards, 23.4% of engineering technologies awards, and 23.9% of physical sciences awards. These findings demonstrate the importance of examining absolute output alongside proportional contributions and distinguishing trends across disciplines. The results provide a descriptive basis for institutional planning and further research on Black STEM degree attainment; they do not establish causal differences in institutional effectiveness.

Keywords:
Historically Black colleges and universities, Black students, STEM degrees, bachelor’s degree attainment, IPEDS
 

Article Type: Open Access

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