Harvard's Diversity Dilemma: Freshman Black Student Enrollment Drops Amid Affirmative Action Ban

Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that outlawed race-based admissions, Harvard University reported a significant drop in Black student enrollment for its Class of 2028. The percentage fell from 18% to 14%, although Hispanic students' representation increased slightly. The ruling has led to varied impacts on minority enrollment at other elite institutions.

Following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling barring race-based admissions, Harvard University's freshman class has seen a notable decrease in Black student enrollment, dropping from 18% to 14% for the Class of 2028, according to data released Wednesday.

While the representation of Hispanic students rose slightly from 14% to 16%, the ruling has produced a mixed impact on minority enrollment across other prestigious universities. Yale and Princeton saw minimal changes, while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brown University experienced significant declines in their minority student percentages.

Harvard, along with many other universities, has ramped up recruitment efforts and pledged to dismantle barriers to admission in light of the ruling. Dean Hopi Hoekstra emphasized that Harvard remains committed to broad-based diversity within the bounds of the law.

(With inputs from agencies.)