Black students have been graduating from colleges for years. This especially is true within HBCUs as schools like Spelman and Morehouse are internationally-known for the stellar programs. Yet according to this study conducted by Ohio State University and Virginia Commonwealth University, Black kids are at a disadvantage when none of their roommates are White.

Black college students get better grades with white roommate: study physorg.com

A new study of college freshman suggests that African Americans may obtain higher grades if they live with a white roommate. A detailed study of students at a large, predominantly-white university revealed that while living with a white roommate may be more challenging than living with someone of the same race, many Black students appear to benefit from the experience.

For African American students, this could translate into as much as 0.30-point increase in their GPA in their first quarter of college.

White students, on the other hand, were affected more by the academic ability of their roommate than by their race.

While the study results may seem one-sided, earlier studies by these researchers and others reinforces the value of students’ experience with members of different races and ethnic groups. (more…)

Now ain’t that something.