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Sex Differences in Graduate School Choice for Black HBCU Bachelor’s Degree Recipients: A National Analysis

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Abstract

Data from the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study were analyzed to identify factors that historically Black colleges and universities graduates considered when choosing a graduate school; follow-up tests examined differences between Black men and women in the national sample. Interestingly, we found that Black men and women consider the same three factors most frequently when making graduate school decisions: reputation of school and faculty, proximity to home or work, and availability of an academic program. There were clear differences between men and women, however, in the extent to which they considered access to financial aid and costs of tuition and fees. Implications for theory, research, and practice are highlighted.

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Notes

  1. The terms “Black” and “African American” are used interchangeably throughout this manuscript, consistent with the language of the survey upon which the study is based. These terms refer to individuals whose ancestral origins lie in groups of African descent including African Americans, Africans, Haitians, West Indians, among others.

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  1. The Ohio State University, 29 W. Woodruff Avenue, 310B Ramseyer Hall, Columbus, OH, 43206, USA

    Terrell L. Strayhorn, Michael Steven Williams, Derrick Tillman-Kelly & Todd Suddeth

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  1. Terrell L. Strayhorn
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  2. Michael Steven Williams
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  3. Derrick Tillman-Kelly
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  4. Todd Suddeth
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Correspondence to Michael Steven Williams.

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Strayhorn, T.L., Williams, M.S., Tillman-Kelly, D. et al. Sex Differences in Graduate School Choice for Black HBCU Bachelor’s Degree Recipients: A National Analysis. J Afr Am St 17, 174–188 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-012-9226-1

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