Diversity at MIT drops after affirmative action ban

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) incoming first-year class experienced a sharp decline in racial diversity following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to ban race-based admissions.

This year, only 16% of students are Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Islander, compared to 31% in previous years. The percentage of Black students dropped from 15% to 5%, and the percentage of Hispanic and Latino students fell from 16% to 11%.

Meanwhile, the percentage of Asian American students increased from 41% to 47%, and the proportion of White students remained consistent at almost 38%.

MIT attributes the decline to the end of affirmative action, which had been used to enhance diversity at university campuses.

Addressing the issue, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said the college plans to improve outreach, promote financial aid, and expand access to science and math education nationwide.