How Closely Do Massachusetts’ RN Graduates Reflect the State’s Diversity? This chart compares the racial and ethnic composition of Massachusetts’ general population with that of its RN graduates of pre-licensure nursing education programs from 2011 to 2017. 2011 2017 Nursing school graduates General population White 71.2% 76.1% 65.1% 72.2% Black or African American 9.2% 6.5% 12.5% 7.1% Hispanic or Latino 4.1% 10.0% 6.6% 11.9% Asian 3.9% 5.6% 4.8% 6.8% Two or more races 0.7% 1.5% 1.8% American Indian or Alaskan Native 0.2% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.04% Non-U.S. residents and unknown ethnicities excluded, so percentages may not total 100.