HBCU VS. PWI

                                                            

HBCU vs. PWI



The infamous historically black colleges and universities versus predominantly white institutions battle has been going on for years. There are major differences between the two, but some still believe that one is better than the other. I believe that being on a HBCU campus is like entering a whole new world. The only similarity between a HBCU and a PWI is that they both offer degrees. I would like to share how historically black colleges and universities are so different from predominantly white institutions.

A very noticeable difference between HBCUs and PWIs are where they are located regionally. Most historically black colleges and universities are located deep in the south or on the east coast. Predominantly white institutions are located everywhere. There are about 107 HBCUs in the United States today (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). There are more than 4,000 PWI’s located in the United States (Number of U.S. Colleges and Universities and Degrees Awarded, 2005). The amount of HBCUs vs. PWIs isn’t even comparable.

It is obvious that an historically black college will be filled with predominantly black students, but that doesn’t mean a HBCU can’t be diverse. Although HBCUs are predominantly black, there are students from all different ethnic races and backgrounds who attend. At Bluefield State College, which is an HBCU in Bluefield, West Virginia; over 85% of the students are white (Smith-Barrow, Delece). Predominantly white institutions can be very diverse as well, there are several races and ethnic backgrounds represented including African Americans. There are over 3,000 African American students that attend Temple University (Temple University College Portrait), that amount is bigger than the total enrollment of most HBCUs.



 Historically black colleges and universities are known for being more intimate and having smaller class sizes. Most predominantly white institutions have larger lecture halls. You will not find that at most HBCUs. There are pros and cons about both, but HBCU students argue that you have a better chance of passing your classes and being successful when you have smaller class sizes.

Most historically black colleges and universities have very limited resources whereas most predominantly white institutions have very large endowments. There are several reasons why HBCUs have fewer resources than PWI’s. Location and lack of support from alumni play a huge role in the downfall of HBCUs. African Americans are still oppressed people in this country, blacks simply don’t have as much money and power as white people do. Harvard University has an endowment of about $37.6 billion (Harvard University). That amount is more than most historically black colleges and universities endowments combined.



The atmosphere’s and environments of predominantly white institutions and historically black colleges and universities are different. The food is different, at a HBCU every Wednesday is fried chicken Wednesday. The style of dress is different; you often see students dressed comfortably in sweatpants and a hoodie at a PWI. When you attend a HBCU it’s like attending a fashion show every day, the ladies love to dress up in their heels and pearls. Most HBCUs aren’t known for their athletic departments, whereas a lot of PWIs have huge football teams and games that are broadcast on national television.

Although there are major differences between historically black colleges and universities and predominantly white institutions; the objective is the same. Every student that attends college has a goal to get a degree. One is not greater than the other, they just offer different experiences.

                                                               

                                                                 References

“Harvard University.” Wiki, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_University. Accessed 16 Oct. 2016.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” Wiki, 22 Oct. 2016, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historically_black_colleges_and_universities. Accessed 22 Oct. 2016.

“Number of U.S. Colleges and Universities and Degrees Awarded, 2005.” Infoplease, 2006, www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0908742.html. Accessed 22 Oct. 2016.

Smith-Barrow, Delece. “10 Most Diverse Historically Black Colleges.” Us News, 24 July 2015, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2015/07/24/10-most-diverse-historically-black-schools.

---. “10 Most Diverse Historically Black Colleges.” Us News, 24 July 2015, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2015/07/24/10-most-diverse-historically-black-schools.

“Temple University College Portrait.” College Portraits, 2009, www.collegeportraits.org/PA/tu/print. Accessed 22 Oct. 2016.