Ethnic/Racial Differences in Postsecondary Enrollment Rates of Texas Public High School Graduates: A Statewide, Multiyear Investigation

Abstract

Examined in this study was the degree to which ethnic/racial differences were present in the postsecondary enrollment of Texas public high school graduates at Texas 2-year public colleges and at 4-year public universities. Specifically analyzed were the enrollment percentages of Black, Hispanic, and White for three academic years (i.e., 2012-2013 through 2014-2015) for Texas public high school graduates. Over the 3-year time period analyzed, statistically significant ethnic/racial differences were present in postsecondary enrollment rates of Texas public high school. White Texas public high school graduates enrolled in both 2-year and 4-year public institutions at statistically significantly higher rates than their Black and Hispanic counterparts. Moreover, Black and Hispanic students tended to enroll at 2-year public institutions at a higher rate then 4-year public institutions. Implications of these results and recommendations for future research were discussed.