Study Suggests College Inequity Contributes to Job Disparity
Recent study suggests unequal distribution of “good jobs” is connected to racial inequalities in higher education.
In a study conducted by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce and JP Morgan Chase, the authors found that, while employment rose for white, black, and Latino workers from 1991-2016, the improvements were not evenly divided. The study goes on to suggest that this unequal distribution of “good jobs” is connected to racial inequalities in higher education.
In 2016, white workers held 77% of good jobs (jobs that pay at least $35,000 for younger workers and $45,000 for older ones), despite white workers making up only 69% of the workforce. In contrast, black workers held 10% of good jobs, even though they made up 13% of the workforce. This trend continued for Latino workers, with them holding 13% of good jobs despite making up 18% of the workforce.
The study also went on to show that white workers earned more that black and Latino workers, even when their education levels were the same. For instance, white workers with a bachelor’s degree earned a median salary of $75,000, while black and Latino workers with degrees earned a median salary of $65,000.
These inequities can be linked to the changing educational demands of the workforce. Between 1991 and 2016, the number of good jobs requiring a post-secondary education rose, while the number of good jobs requiring a high school diploma or less declined by 700,000. During this same period, the number of white workers with bachelor’s degrees increased from 26% to 44%, allowing them to access positions with higher educational requirements.
Between 1991 and 2016, the number of black workers with bachelor’s degrees rose to 30%, and the number of Latino workers with degrees rose to 20%. The study’s authors indicate that the academic attainment of these workers lagged behind that of their white peers due to racial discrimination in the higher education system.
The authors concluded their study by discussing the policies that could help bridge these academic equity gaps. For instance, they suggested legislation that would reward institutions that enrolled and graduated traditionally under-served students, as well as legislation that would increase funding for two-year institutions.
This is what you need to know about the study that suggests the unequal distribution of “good jobs” is connected to racial inequalities in higher education. Looking for a consulting firm with experience working with salary, legal, and other human resources issues? Then don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at McKnight Associates, Inc. We are ready to offer you hands-on human resources consulting for colleges, universities, medical centers, and organizations of all sizes.