Racial Inequality in Higher Education

1362 Words6 Pages
Many roadblocks interfere with minority students being able to complete a college education. Post-secondary readiness, resegregation of public schools, and the harmful affects of misguided reform measures are just a few of the obstacles facing these students. A college education is almost a requirement to be in the middle class. However, there are more barriers to college, predominantly financial, and aid programs are falling short of making up for those barriers. Selective admissions by colleges and universities are another difficulty faced by minorities. For many minority students who attend college the opportunity to attend top-tier universities is often elusive. The 468 top-tier universities in the country are largely Caucasian and Asian. (Carnevale, A., & Strohl, J.) The two-year and four-year lower tier schools are predominantly African American and Hispanic. The lower tier schools face issues of overcrowding, under-resourced and students are more likely to be working while going to school. These facts make graduating from one of these colleges more difficult and significantly less likely. The system is unequal in most areas. Many students pursing an advanced degree at lower-tier colleges or universities will have less life and career aspirations than their Caucasian and Asian counterparts. Those are the ones who can even afford to further their education. Teaching to the test, rising cost of education and misguided reforms are all playing a large role in limiting the opportunities for many Hispanic and African American students. The underrepresentation of minority students in higher education is particularly pronounced at the nation’s most selective colleges. One in twenty-five top-tier college students is a minority. (Carnevale, A., & Strohl, J.) Many colleges say they already provide
admissions preferences to minority students, but the evidence suggests
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