Black Student Enrollment Falls at Selective US Colleges After Supreme Court Ban on Affirmative Action

Recent data reveals a significant decline in Black student enrollment at selective colleges and universities following the 2023 Supreme Court decision abolishing affirmative action in admissions. Analysis of 20 elite institutions shows Black enrollment dropping drastically, with some schools like Columbia and Harvard experiencing declines from around 20% to as low as 11-13%, and Caltech reporting only 1.6% Black freshmen. Meanwhile, Asian American enrollment has increased at many of these institutions. This trend is compounded by a broader regional decline in Pell Grant recipients' college enrollment, especially in Southern states, where funding cuts and rising costs have reduced access for many Black students. Experts emphasize that the decreased support from Pell Grants, which now cover a smaller share of college costs than decades ago, alongside the end of affirmative action, undermines efforts to promote equity in higher education. There is concern about how federal policies, including the Trump administration's stance, might influence future efforts to restore diversity in college admissions.