Minority students accounted for half of the growth in bachelor degree attainment over the last 20 years, and minorities with advanced degrees are more likely to have attended traditionally White institutions, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

“The Condition of Education 2007” shows that although the percentages of students who were minorities were similar across types of 4-year institutions, minority students who attended doctoral and master’s institutions were more likely to be at an institution with a low-minority enrollment than at one with a high-minority enrollment. However, minority students who attended other 4-year institutions were more likely to be at an institution with a high- rather than low-minority enrollment, says the report.

In 2002, Blacks were more than twice as likely as Hispanics to attend an institution where they made up at least 80 percent of the total enrollment (12 vs. 5 percent) thus showing the continuing relevance of historically Black colleges and universities.

The number of bachelor’s degrees awarded increased by 33 percent between 1989-90 and 2003-04, while the number of associate’s degrees increased by 46 percent. Minority students accounted for half of the growth in bachelor’s and associate’s degrees.

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Female college enrollment continues to surpass male enrollment since 1978.

“The gender gap has since widened and is expected to continue to grow,” says the report.

The report shows that in 2004-05, earning a business degree was popular because it was made up of 16 percent of all associate’s degrees, 22 percent of bachelor’s degrees and 25 percent of master’s degrees.

According to NCES Commissioner Mark Schneider, “Between 1997-98 and 2004-05, the field of computer and information sciences grew by nearly 100 percent at the associate’s level and by 57 percent at the master’s level. At the doctoral level, the field of health professions and related clinical sciences grew by nearly 200 percent.”