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Graduation Rates Lower for Black and Latino Students in Virginia and Connecticut

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Researchers at the Urban Institute investigated racial inequalities in higher education in Virginia and Connecticut. The study showed that more than 50 percent of black students attend just four colleges in Virginia, none of which are the most selective schools in the state. Researchers also found that white and Asian students graduate at significantly higher rates than black and Latino students at most colleges, except for historically black colleges where students of color have higher graduation rates. The data showed a 16 percent gap between white and Asian student graduation rates and black and Latino student graduation rates. The researchers used these findings to conduct a deeper analysis, adjusting graduation rates to account for academic preparation, family income and poverty status.  While the gap decreased for many schools when comparing students with similar backgrounds, inequity between graduation rates still remained.

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