A Comparison of the Impact of Preparedness of Students Entering College and Students’ Academic Attainment between Selected HBCU and Non-HBCU

Longitudinal data collected from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the period 2003-2009 reveal that among a sample of 2,275 African-American students, there were no significant difference in the preparedness of students entering HBCU and non-HBCUs. However, we find that relative to non-HBCUs, HBCU students are more likely to be placed in remedial courses. We also find that relative to non-HBCUs, HBCUs have a higher retention and attainment rate especially for the bachelor’s degrees. We contend that HBCUs seem to prepare their students better to successfully attain bachelor’s degrees by requiring underprepared students to take remedial courses as deemed necessary after evaluating their credentials. Such intervention enhances the capacities and abilities of underprepared students and equips them with the necessary capacities and abilities to succeed academically and to complete their undergraduate programs timeously.