While these numbers are reflective of each state’s population as a whole and not just African Americans (which are traditionally lower), it does offer a glimpse into opportunities where HBCUs can have major impact to become the educational leader of that state and thereby creating influence throughout their state and region for African Americans. It also speaks largely to the education and economic environment within a state. Arguably, Virginia is the only southern HBCU state to be above the national average. This is more than likely due to its northern Virginia region. In large part is shows that the primary concentration of HBCU states have much to do in order to the intellectual capital of the nation. An opportunity that HBCUs themselves will have to battle to influence given the social and political climate toward our institutions and the economic strain that continues to face the nation as a whole.
STATE – % OF POPULATION WITH GRADUATE DEGREE
Washington D.C. – 29.2%
Massachusetts – 16.8%
Maryland – 16.5%
Virginia – 14.6%
New York – 14.2%
Delaware – 11.7%
Illinois – 11.7%
California – 11.1%
Pennsylvania -10.4%
Michigan – 9.9%
Georgia – 9.8%
Missouri – 9.7%
Florida – 9.3%
North Carolina – 9.2%
Ohio – 9.2%
Kentucky – 8.8%
Texas – 8.7%
Alabama – 8.4%
South Carolina – 8.4%
Tennessee – 8.3%
Oklahoma – 7.8%
Mississippi – 7.3%
Arkansas – 7.2%
Louisiana – 7.1%
Source: Bloomberg Visual Data
HBCU Money 