When we talk about the state of education in America, there’s one crisis that isn’t getting the attention it needs: Black men are disappearing from college campuses. And it’s not just anecdotal—it’s data-driven, systemic, and deeply alarming.
A recent National Student Clearinghouse Research Center report revealed that while undergraduate enrollment has slowly rebounded from the pandemic slump, Black male enrollment has not followed suit. In fact, it’s declining—and fast.
According to the data, Black men made up just 5.4% of all undergraduates in the U.S. in 2022, a figure that has steadily dropped from 7.5% in 2011. In community colleges, where access and affordability have historically helped underserved students gain a foothold, Black male enrollment plummeted by more than 19% between 2019 and 2022.
Meanwhile, college enrollment among Black women has increased. Black women now make up about 66% of all Black undergraduates.
This crisis didn’t appear overnight. It’s the result of decades of structural inequality, broken education pipelines, over-policing, and the devaluation of Black male intellectualism in a society that’s more comfortable seeing Black men on the field or behind bars than in lecture halls.
A Black boy is more likely to be suspended or expelled in elementary and high school than his white peers. This school-to-prison pipeline remains intact, and in many cases, more fortified than the pathways to college.
With rising tuition costs, unstable job markets, and the need to provide for family, college often feels like a luxury few can afford. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, 38% of Black men cite financial barriers as a top reason for not enrolling in or completing college.
And then there’s the question of representation and relevance. Many Black male students report feeling culturally isolated and unsupported on predominantly white campuses. Faculty, curriculum, and campus culture often don’t reflect their lived experiences or affirm their identities. So why stay?
We can’t afford to normalize this downward trend. The absence of Black men in higher education has rippling effects. College is not just about degrees—it’s about opportunity, access, and long-term economic stability. A college degree still increases lifetime earnings by an average of $1 million. But beyond money, it’s about leadership, innovation, and shaping narratives from the inside out.
More Black men in college means more Black teachers, more doctors, more policymakers, more tech entrepreneurs, and yes, more role models for the next generation. Education is power. And when one segment of our community is being locked out, we all lose.
To our brothers navigating this world without the support you deserve: You are not invisible. You are not disposable. Your intellect, your presence, your potential—it’s all needed. College may not be for everyone, but education—of any kind—should never feel out of reach.
It’s time we stop asking “Where are the Black men?” and start investing in making sure they’re everywhere they deserve to be.
