A new research report, Detroit Export, HBCU Import: Detroit Students on the Yard and Back Home Again, underscores the crucial role Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play in shaping brighter futures for Detroit students, and implications for the city’s economy. Sponsored by The Kresge Foundation, the 18-month study examined how access to HBCUs can boost degree attainment, expand economic mobility and ultimately strengthen Detroit’s workforce.

The HBCU Advantage

Despite enrolling just 3% of U.S. college students, HBCUs produce 20% of Black graduates and a disproportionate share of Black doctors, judges, and engineers. Detroit students are no exception. The report found that Black students who attend HBCUs are 30 percent more likely to earn a college degree compared with peers at similar institutions.

HBCUs credit this success to a culture of belonging and unique support systems that help students persist to graduation—factors that are particularly significant for first-generation and low-income students. The benefits extend well beyond graduation. HBCUs achieve a 67.6 percent success rate in moving students into higher income brackets, and graduates report higher lifetime earnings and incomes by age 30 than non-HBCU peers.

For Detroit, where building a strong middle class is central to long-term prosperity, these outcomes point to opening up HBCU pathways for students as an important part of the city’s educational and economic future.

Detroit’s HBCU connection is strong, but barriers remain high

Though there are no HBCUs in Michigan, Detroit students are choosing them in remarkably high numbers. Over the past decade, 86 percent of Detroit students who left the state for four-year universities enrolled at HBCUs. “This is not simply a preference, it’s a statement,” said Bill Moses, Managing Director of Kresge’s Education Program. “This report is an important step in understanding how we can ensure Detroit’s talented students can access and thrive at HBCUs, then bring their skills back home.”

Despite this high percentage of enrollment, students’ pathways to HBCUs are largely informal, with students often discovering HBCUs through family, friends or cultural exposure, rather than formal school counseling. The report highlights that cuts to college transition advisor positions in Detroit schools have left many students without adequate guidance. As a result, access to information about HBCUs—and to the scholarships that make them affordable—remains uneven.

The financial realities of out-of-state attendance present one of the largest hurdles for Detroit students aspiring to attend HBCUs. Most students surveyed reported an estimated family contribution of $6,000 or less, leaving significant gaps to cover tuition, housing and travel costs. While some alumni associations provide scholarships, the amounts range widely and are not enough to meet ongoing needs.

Additionally, completing a degree depends on support such as bridge programs, mentorship, internships and consistent advising. Paid summer internships in Detroit, the report notes, can be especially impactful, helping students earn income, build networks and envision a future back home.

Post-graduation returns are a shared responsibility

The report emphasizes that strengthening the city’s talent pipeline will require intentional strategies: securing guaranteed internships and fellowships with Detroit employers, marketing Detroit’s career and cultural opportunities to graduates, and creating smoother transitions into the professional world.

Data shows that about half of Detroit HBCU students are likely to return after graduation, citing family ties and opportunities to contribute to Detroit’s future. Others are hesitant, pointing to perceptions of limited job opportunities, lower salaries, or the lure of experiences in other cities

To address gaps and expand opportunities, the report calls for the creation of a Detroit HBCU Ecosystem Consortium—a coordinated network of schools, alumni, employers, and community organizations. Such a consortium could formalize student exposure to HBCUs, increase resources for families and counselors and strengthen career pathways that link Detroit students’ educational success with the city’s economic future.

“Our team had the privilege of listening to the voices of those who know this journey best—the students, parents, and educators in Detroit,” Dr. Michele Lewis Watts of Woods & Watts Effect emphasized. “This report is more than just data, it is a call to action. We believe its recommendations will create a stronger, more intentional ecosystem of support for a community that is already choosing this powerful pathway.”

Dr. Ashley Johnson, Program Officer for Kresge’s Education Program added: “This research gives us a deep, data-driven understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Detroit students. The recommendations cover the entire student journey, from early exposure to postgraduate career opportunities, providing a clear roadmap for all stakeholders.”