The data for this study come from the United Stated Department of Education. It is collected through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) program completers survey conducted by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI). The survey requests data on the number of degrees and other formal awards conferred in academic, vocational, and continuing professional education programs. Institutions report their data according to the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes developed by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). CIP codes provide a common set of categories allowing comparisons across all colleges and universities.

A student's minority status is typically determined by a self-reported response from the student during his or her college career. Students are offered a set of categories from which to choose. The number and labels of these categories differ from one institution to another. However, when reporting enrollment or degrees to the federal government, institutions must "map" their categories to the standard federal categories: non-resident alien; Black, non-Hispanic; American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; Hispanic; White, non-Hispanic; and race/ethnicity unknown. The "minority" categories -- Black, non-Hispanic; American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; and Hispanic -- include only U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Total Minority Associate Degrees - Journalism
and Mass Communication

RANK   INSTITUTION                         STATE      MEN   WOMEN

  1     Los Angeles Southwest College         CA        2      2
  1     Newbury College Inc                   MA        3      1
  1     Onondaga Community College            NY        3      1
  1     Laramie Country Community College     WY        1      3
  5     Cerritos College                      CA        0      3
  5     Los Angeles Valley College            CA        2      1
  5     Southwestern College                  CA        1      2
  5     Meridian Community College            MS        0      3

RANK   INSTITUTION                           TOTAL  % GRAD.

  1     Los Angeles Southwest College          4       100.0
  1     Newbury College Inc                    4        44.4
  1     Onondaga Community College             4        12.5
  1     Laramie Country Community College      4        36.4
  5     Cerritos College                       3        42.9
  5     Los Angeles Valley College             3       100.0
  5     Southwestern College                   3        75.0
  5     Meridian Community College             3        75.0

RANK   INSTITUTION                                 96-97
                                               ([double dagger])

  1     Los Angeles Southwest College                1
  1     Newbury College Inc                          *
  1     Onondaga Community College                   4
  1     Laramie Country Community College            *
  5     Cerritos College                             *
  5     Los Angeles Valley College                   *
  5     Southwestern College                         3
  5     Meridian Community College                   *

([double dagger]) Preliminary Data