South West Illinois News

Black or African American students were the most represented ethnicity among students at Monroe County universities in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Of the 89 students attending institutions in the county at the time, 51.7% were Black or African American. This is an increase of 53.3% in enrollment numbers, compared to the previous year.

White students comprised the second largest ethnic group in the county, followed by multiracial students.

Countywide, the number of undergraduates attending the two universities in the county during the 2022-23 school year grew by 20.3%. Career Center of Southern Illinois reported the largest student body, with 67 students.

Graduation rates reveal a significant achievement gap among different ethnicities. While white students graduate at a rate of 62.1%, Black and Hispanic students graduate at a rate of around 40%.

Ethnic Group	% of Total Student Body
Black or African American	51.7%
White	44.9%
Multiracial	2.2%
Hispanic	1.1%