October 30, 2023

At a Glance

Associate’s degrees and credentials in information technology (IT) can open up pathways to high-wage careers with opportunities for economic advancement. But Black learners and workers face structural barriers that limit their ability to access and complete IT programs. To learn more about opportunities and obstacles that Black people encounter on pathways to tech careers, JFF conducted research exploring Black men’s and women’s rates of enrollment in and completion of postsecondary IT programs. We analyzed several years of restricted-use National Student Clearinghouse data along with insights offered by focus groups of administrators, staff, and faculty at five U.S. colleges with promising records of supporting Black learners in IT programs.