Underrepresented minority students receive lower grades and have higher rates of attrition across STEM disciplines: A sign of inequity?

Underrepresented minority (URM) students are subjected to historically rooted inequities when pursuing an education, especially in STEM disciplines with little diversity. In order make education equitable and inclusive, evidence for how from different racial/ethnic demographics faring is necessary. We use 10 years of institutional data at a large public US-based university investigate trends the majors that Asian, URM, White declare, drop, complete. find URM drop most higher rates compared other students, particularly physics economics. alarming GPA consistently earn lower grades than their Asian peers. some disciplines, who degree earning same as dropped major. These troubling may signify lack sufficient support, mentoring, guidance already severely disadvantaged primarily institution. findings call greater resources effort making learning environments inclusive so many come college severe disadvantages appropriately supported can excel similar students.