New survey documents professional success, personal satisfaction of HBCU alumni
On Friday, an invitation-only ceremony was held at Martha’s Vineyard to unveil the first set of results from “Proof of Promise: The Lasting Value and Impact of an HBCU Education,” a survey of alumni of dozens of HBCUs concerning their college experiences and post-graduation success. Friday’s event revealed results from data gathered from graduates of the classes of 2010 through 2025 at 40 different four-year HBCUs. The data from these recent alumni reveal that they are thriving in comparison to others. One of the most striking results is that 70% of these recent HBCU alumni report that they are personally “thriving” in life, compared to only 48% of all Black adults in the U.S. who say they are thriving. Nearly half of those surveyed, 46%, report being “engaged” at work, in contrast to only 31% of all American workers. The survey also showed that HBCU alumni found their college experiences meaningful, with 83% experiencing a sense of belonging at their schools (compared to only 65% of all college graduates), and nearly all (94%) saying they had a professor who inspired them to learn, in comparison with 81% of all college graduates who report this.
The survey, presented as the largest project of its kind, was conducted by the Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s research wing, in collaboration with Gallup. Gallup Chairman Jim Clifton called the collaboration with the Payne Center part of “a shared commitment to understanding what helps students succeed,” and declared “This research offers valuable insights not only for HBCUs but for colleges and universities across the country.” The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s President and CEO, Dr. Harry L. Williams, praised HBCUs, saying the schools “have done more with less throughout history and continue to produce outcomes like this report validates.” Dr. Williams touted the role of HBCUs “in helping our graduates build meaningful lives and careers.” Dr. N. Joyce Payne, the founder of TMCF and the namesake of the Payne Center, called for support for HBCUs. “We must look at all of our HBCUs — public and private — and provide them with the tools they need to thrive.”
Examining HBCU impact as schools face growth amid challenging times
The release of results from the “Proof of Promise” project comes as HBCUs face a variety of opportunities and challenges. HBCUs have seen student numbers rise in recent years, defying the trend of falling college enrollment nationwide. HBCUs have also had recent funding boosts from Black donors and from white philanthropists such as MacKenzie Scott and Michael Bloomberg. The federal government has also provided support, including $17 billion during the Biden-Harris administration, as well as allocations or promises of nearly $2 billion from the Trump administration in 2025 and beyond for HBCUs and tribally controlled colleges. However, the voluntary nature of philanthropic donations and the anti-diversity agenda of the Trump administration make such funding sources unreliable for long-term planning. Additionally, specific HBCUs have faced negative publicity in recent weeks. Howard University has reinstated over 200 students after widespread public outcry when it dropped over 500 incoming freshmen weeks before the start of the fall semester. Tuskegee University sparked debates and sharply divided opinions after rolling out a new dress code for students on campus.
Amid these circumstances, the new survey results indicate that HBCUs have provided both student satisfaction and professional success for recent graduates. Of those surveyed, 72% said they were highly likely to recommend their alma mater to others, far outpacing the national rate of 44% of all college graduates who recommend their schools. Additionally, 79% of the HBCU alumni surveyed say that their education was worth the cost. The results released Friday were from the first of three rounds of the survey. Part Two of the survey, scheduled to be released summer 2027, will go further back in time to incorporate results from earlier graduates from a total of 64 HBCUs. Part Three is set to be rolled out summer 2028 and will add qualitative data and insights from HBCU alumni.
Together, these results will help paint a fuller and more comprehensive view of what experiences are like on the campuses of HBCUs and what life is like once students leave these institutions. As HBCUs experience record levels of demand while facing financial and reputational challenges, this data is important for evaluating how these schools have performed and what value they bring to their students.