Black Freshman Enrollment Falls at Harvard and Yale After Affirmative Action Ruling

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(AURN News) — Black freshman enrollment at some of the nation’s most selective universities continues to decline following the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision ending race-conscious college admissions, according to The New York Times.

At Harvard, Black students make up 9.3% of this year’s freshman class, down from 18% in 2023 — nearly halving their share.

The gates of Harvard Yard at Harvard University, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

At Yale, Black students make up 10% of this year’s freshman class, down from 14% two years ago. Meanwhile, Asian American students make up 43% of Harvard’s freshman class.

However, the trend isn’t universal. The share of Black freshmen at Princeton rebounded to 8.9%, while Columbia’s share increased slightly to 13%.

Supporters of affirmative action argue that diverse campuses help create more inclusive leadership, while critics maintain that race should not influence admissions decisions.

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