Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute

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.

Committed to understanding and expanding the pathways that lead to educational attainment, FDPRI conducts and disseminates research that informs policymakers, educators, philanthropists and the general public on how to best improve educational opportunities for and outcomes of African Americans and other underrepresented minorities across the pre-school-through-college-graduation pipeline.

The “HBCU Effect”—by the Numbers

The HBCU Effect seeks to understand, validate and promote the success of HBCUs to develop a counter narrative that illustrates the value and competitiveness of our institutions.

Our Research and Reports

Male Xavier University student working in laboratory

How UNCF Makes a Difference

Each year UNCF awards over 10,000 scholarships, fellowships and internships through 400 programs. Read our biennial report.

A History of Accomplishments

Since its inception in 1996, FDPRI has made great strides in the development of research on African Americans in education.

3 Spelman College students working at a white board

FDPRI: Who We Are

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

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.