Hispanics, and Whites

Over the past decade, the number of African American and Hispanic undergraduates enrolled in colleges and universities nationwide has increased by 32 % and 98%, respectively, whereas the number of White undergraduates has declined by 1 % (Nettles & Perna, 1997). Over the same period, the number of bachelor's degrees awarded increased by 43 % for African Americans and 90 % for Hispanics, com- pared with an 11% increase for Whites. Although more African Americans and Hispanics are attending college and receiving degrees than ever before (Nettles & Perna, 1997), African Americans and Hispanics continue to be underrepresented among both undergraduates (at 10.0 % and 8.0%, respectively) and bachelor's degree recipients (7.0 % and 4.2%) relative to their representation in the traditional college-age population (14.3% and 13.7%). Although much is known about the factors that affect college attendance, only recently have researchers begun to explore variations in college enrollment behavior among students of different racial/ethnic groups (e.g.