Ethno-Racial Composition and College Preference: Revisiting the Perpetuation of Segregation Hypothesis

Braddock’s perpetuation hypothesis argues that racial segregation is self-perpetuated over the life cycle and across institutional settings. Studies examining the relationship between segregation and college choice consistently show that black students who attend segregated schools are more likely to choose predominantly black colleges over predominantly white colleges. This study extends previous research by considering not only blacks but also Hispanics, Asians, and whites. Consistent with Braddock’s claim, results show a positive association between the ethno-racial composition of schools and first college preference for all demographic groups considered. However, this association disappears for blacks and Hispanics after controlling for the ethno-racial composition of the nearest two- and four-year colleges. These findings indicate that geographic context better explains the perpetuation of segregation than same-group preferences.