Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand if there was an effect of the type of institution attended (HBCU vs PWI) on level of minority status stress, perceived faculty support, persistence attitudes, and perception of the university environment. The sample (N = 414) included African American undergraduate students attending either a HBCU or PWI. Participants completed an online survey that included a demographic questionnaire, a minority status stress scale, perceived faculty support scale, persistence/drop out attitudes scale, perception of the university environment scale, and a two-dimensional black acculturation scale. Three MANOVAs and one ANOVA were conducted to determine the relationship between the three independent variables (Type of Institution, BAS-Culture, & BAS-Out Group) and the final 10 dependent variables (subscales). It was found that African American students attending HBCUs, regardless of their level of Comfort, reported lower levels of social climate stress and lower levels of interracial stress than their counterparts at PWIs. It was also found that African American students at PWIs who had lower levels of comfort perceived significantly less faculty support then did their counterparts at HBCUs, or at PWIs with higher levels of comfort. African American students at HBCUs, regardless of comfort level had more positive academic experiences, as compared to their counterparts attending PWIs. African American students at HBCUs reported a more positive perception of the university environment. In conclusion, it was found that HBCUs provide a unique, nurturing environment that fosters academic success and emotional well-being, and thus greater persistence.