How Well Do For-Profit Colleges Serve Black Students?

"Black students made up 24 percent of undergraduates at for-profit colleges in 2023, compared to 13 percent at colleges and universities over all. The share of Black undergraduates at for-profit colleges has been double the share of Black students enrolled in higher ed writ large for a decade."

"For-profit institutions tend to market themselves as flexible, which appeals to students balancing jobs, childcare and other responsibilities. These colleges are also known for targeting marketing campaigns at Black prospective students in an effort to 'access financial aid dollars.'"

"Most focus group participants said their college delivered on offering flexibility but also reported that, in hindsight, they'd choose a different college if they could and cautioned other students to [consider alternatives]."

Black students represent 24 percent of undergraduates at for-profit colleges, double their 13 percent share in higher education overall, a pattern consistent for a decade. Graduate enrollment shows similar disparities, with Black students comprising 24 percent of for-profit graduate students versus 11 percent nationally. For-profit institutions market themselves as flexible options appealing to students managing jobs and childcare responsibilities. These colleges actively target Black prospective students to access financial aid dollars. While focus group participants acknowledged the flexibility these institutions provided, most reported they would choose different colleges in retrospect and cautioned other students against enrollment.

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