Impact of Supreme Court Decision on Black Enrollment at Prestigious Universities

The aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions is becoming increasingly evident, with prestigious universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) experiencing a decline in Black student enrollment.

According to a report by NBC News, MIT, along with other institutions such as Washington University and Amherst College, have seen a decrease in Black student enrollment for the upcoming 2024 academic year. This comes as a result of the Supreme Court ruling that colleges can no longer consider race in admissions demographic data, forcing them to find other ways to achieve diversity goals.

Amherst College, for example, has seen a significant drop in Black student enrollment, with only 3% of its class for 2028 being Black compared to 11% in 2027. Similarly, MIT reported that only around 5% of its incoming class of 2028 is Black, a sharp decline from the 13% average in recent years.

The impact of the Supreme Court’s decision is not limited to Black students, as Asian American enrollment has also decreased at schools like Smith College, Tufts University, and Yale for the 2028 academic year.

Conservative activist Edward Blum, who led the campaign against affirmative action, has been successful in challenging programs that he believes discriminate against Asian Americans in favor of Black and Latino students. His efforts have even extended to stopping grants for Black women through the Fearless Fund.

As universities grapple with the new restrictions on considering race in admissions, the landscape of higher education is shifting, raising concerns about diversity and inclusion on college campuses.