Examining career and technical education (CTE) pathways in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)

Abstract

Career and technical education (CTE) is considered a key academic pathway for sustainable careers in several high-growth industries. However, African–American employees are underrepresented in these industries. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) may represent invaluable options to address this inequality. Our analysis of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) suggests that HBCUs provide fewer CTE options than a matched sample of non-HBCUs. The most commonly available CTE programs appear in less than one-quarter of HBCUs, and nearly one-quarter of CTE industries are unrepresented. Although some programs are well-positioned to address African–American employee underrepresentation, others are completely absent. Findings connecting HBCU CTE programs to occupations with high projected growth or living wage salaries are also mixed. Overall, these results may be informative for academic policymakers, administrators, and students.