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Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute

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UNCF founder Frederick D. Patterson

The Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, FDPRI, is the nation’s foremost research organization focusing on the educational status of African Americans from pre-school to and through college.

Founded in honor of Dr. Frederick D. Patterson—visionary educator, president of Tuskegee Institute, and the founder of UNCF—FDPRI carries forward his legacy of expanding educational access and strengthening institutions that serve Black and marginalized students.

Through rigorous, actionable research, we illuminate and strengthen the pathways that advance equity in education. We produce and share evidence that guides policymakers, educators, philanthropists, and the public in improving educational opportunities and outcomes for African American and other underrepresented students from pre-school through college completion.

Our Research and Reports

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FDPRI: Who We Are

FDPRI research has one goal: helping more African American and other underrepresented minority students get to and through college.
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Economic Impact Report

HBCUs fuel economic progress and propel social mobility. We must invest in HBCUs to support opportunity, resilience and innovation for all of America.

Alumni Work Force Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of various metrics related to U.S. higher education institutions.
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Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute Staff

The mission of the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute—to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for African Americans and other underrepresented minorities across the pre-school-through-college-graduation pipeline—is carried out by a team of dedicated professionals.

Meet the Team

Our Member Colleges are Affordable

UNCF HBCUs in a High-Priced College Environment

UNCF-member colleges lead the way in helping to ensure that low-income students are not priced out of an essential education in today’s economy. The FDPRI report, Lower Costs, Higher Returns, reinforces what the historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) community has long known: the 37 UNCF-member institutions continue to offer a reasonably priced education, one that in the 2012-2013 academic year cost 26 percent less than that offered by peer institutions.

Read more about the impact of HBCUs in America

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Make an Investment in Education

Help move students to and through college by investing in UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, a go-to source of information on the African American educational experience, HBCUs and their value proposition.

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