Center for American Progress
Donate
See all topics
See all states
Search Search
Although Massachusetts is the most educated state in the country, author Marcella Bombardieri explains why the state's higher education system works primarily for white, well-off students while leaving Black, Latino, and low-income undergraduates behind.
Senior Manager, Media Relations
[email protected]
Associate Director, Media Relations
Director, Federal Affairs
Massachusetts is the most educated state in the nation, an achievement that translates into better health and a stronger economy than most Americans experience.
Public four-year universities deserve a share of the credit, since they have relatively high graduation rates surpassed by only seven other states. Add to that the extraordinary concentration of private colleges that draw students from all over the world, a healthy slice of whom stay. Then, there are the jobs at the hospitals, biotech firms, and other companies that attract to Massachusetts talented people who arrive with their diplomas already framed.
But don’t let that lull you into thinking that all is well. Only 18 percent of Latino and a quarter of Black adults have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 45 percent of white adults.
The above excerpt was originally published in The Boston Globe. Click here to view the full article.
The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.
Senior Fellow