How Exogenous Factors Affect Undergraduate Student Enrollment in BIPOC-Related Studies in the South

Abstract

Colleges and universities across the United States are experiencing enrollment declines, driven in part by demographic shifts and increasing public skepticism about the value of higher education. This study examines these trends within a program at a public institution in the southern United States, referred to here as The Program (TP) to preserve anonymity. TP centers its curriculum on a BIPOC community. It has experienced a drop in BA degrees nearly twice the national average. To understand the extent to which exogenous factors shape student decisions to enroll in TP, we administered a survey to students who completed a TP course in Fall 2024 – Spring 2025. We analyzed responses using chi-square tests, thematic coding of open-ended comments, and within-group comparisons. Findings indicate that the influence of the political and social climate intensifies as the students progress through their degree, Across all groups, the current political and social climate in the Southern United States emerged as a top factor influencing the decision to pursue a major or minor in TP. Additionally, job availability and expected earnings consistently ranked among the top concerns that caused students to second-guess enrollment. These findings suggest that in a sociopolitical moment where BIPOC histories and communities are increasingly framed through a deficit lens, TP has an opportunity to elevate narratives of strength, resilience, and cultural value.