Equity Definition (2024)

What is Equity?

The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. The process is ongoing, requiring us to identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures.

Equity Definition (1)

NACE Research Supporting Equity in the Workplace

Equity Definition (2)

NEW! Recruiting for Equity at HBCUs and Beyond: Current Practices and Pitfalls

This new study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) explores employers’ commitments to and understanding of the issue of equity in recruiting (EiR). Funded through the generosity of organizations that sponsored NACE’s 2021 HBCU Summit and conducted in partnership with the Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (the Center), the study focuses on what employers are doing to recruit and retain diverse interns.

LEARN MORE

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Reports

The NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report provides diversity data for Class of 2021 college graduates based on academic major, institution, gender, race, and ethnicity, and median salary (where reported). Purchase one now and download it immediately.

Equity Definition (3)

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Business

Majors Include: All Business majors (broad category total); Accounting; Business Administration/Management; Finance; Management Information Systems; Marketing; Master of Business Administration.

LEARN MORE

Equity Definition (4)

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Computer Science

Majors: All Computer Science majors (broad category total); Computer Systems Analysis; Computer Science; Computer/Information Technology Administration & Management; Computer Systems Networking; Information Science; Software & Media Applications.

LEARN MORE

Equity Definition (5)

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Engineering

Majors: All Engineering Majors (broad category total); Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Industrial Engineering; Mechanical Engineering.

LEARN MORE

Equity Definition (6)

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: HBCUs

Majors: Accounting, All Business Majors (Broad Category total); All Engineering Majors (Broad Category total); All Computer Science Majors (Broad Category total); Business Administration; Computer Science; English; History; Liberal Arts and Humanities; Math and Statistics; Philosophy; Social Sciences.

LEARN MORE

Equity Definition (7)

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Interdisciplinary Studies

Majors: Data Analytics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Sustainability Studies, Computational Science, International/Globalization Studies.

LEARN MORE

Equity Definition (8)

NACE Diversity Graduate Profile Report: Math/Humanities/Social Science

Majors: Communications; Economics; English; History; Mathematics; Political Science; Psychology.

LEARN MORE

JOIN A NATIONAL NETWORK OF ACTIVE PRACTITIONERS

Since 1956, NACE has served as the leading source of information on the employment of the college educated and forecasts hiring trends in the job market; identifies best practices and benchmarks; and tracks starting salaries, recruiting practices, and student outcomes.

Additionally, NACE provides extensive ways to connect with your peers via Affinity Groups, professional development opportunities, and an annual conference & expo. By joining NACE, you join an engaged, passionate community that's dedicated to strengthening the bridge from campus to career, and—through research, partnerships and knowledge-sharing—works to ensure equitable outcomes for all.

EXPLORE NACE MEMBERSHIPSEE OUR STRATEGIC PLANDOWNLOAD OUR DEI REPORT

Get the latest insights into building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce

See how NACE and its members are advocating for equity and implementing it around the country.

  1. Equity Definition (9)

    Landmark Helps Students With Autism Develop Skills and Strategies to Achieve Career Goals

    Landmark College, an institution exclusively for students who learn differently including those on the autism spectrum, champions a strengths-based model and gives students the skills and strategies they need to achieve their goals.

  2. Equity Definition (10)

    The Fehribach Center at Eskenazi Health Promotes Positive Career Outcomes for Students With Disabilities

    Winner of the 2024 Chevron Innovation Award, the Gregory S. Fehribach Center at Eskenazi Health empowers Indiana college students with physical disabilities to achieve equitable employment following graduation.

  3. Equity Definition (11)

    Quick Poll: Do NACE Members Feel Like They Belong at Work?

    Belonging at work—feeling that one is valued, accepted, and supported—helps to ensure a healthy, productive, and positive work environment. NACE surveyed its membership to better understand their experiences with belonging in the profession.

  4. Equity Definition (12)

    Strategies for Advancing Pay Equity

    Recent data reveal that systemic barriers continue to limit progress on achieving pay equity for all—yet there are tangible, proven ways that career centers and employers can make an impact.

  5. Equity Definition (13)

    Gender Pay Gap: Tips for Employers to Ensure Their Salaries Are Equitable

    Consultant Katie Donovan offers tips for employers to eliminate the main causes of pay inequity for women, including that women are underpaid doing the same jobs as men and are underrepresented in leadership roles.

  6. Equity Definition (14)

    Preferences for Job/Organization Attributes and Benefits Differ by Race and Gender

    When it comes to the attributes of a job and an organization and the benefits the organization offers, there are some differences in student preferences by race and gender.

  7. Equity Definition (15)

    Insights for Supporting Women in Computing-Related Internships

    Women remain underrepresented in computer science majors and careers. Two researchers conducted a study to see how women in computing experience and make sense of their internships, and how their internship experiences shape their future career plans.

  8. Equity Definition (16)

    Understanding How Black Women Navigate Their Careers Using Funds of Knowledge

    A study found that mentorship, community, biculturalism, and resilience are crucial resources and skills that Black women can use to advance their careers.

  9. Equity Definition (17)

    Communication, Trust the Foundation of Strong Relationships Between HBCUs, Employers

    As HBCUs are a key source of high-quality, diverse talent for employers, there are benefits for both institutions and organizations in developing successful partnerships.

  10. Equity Definition (18)

    Ensuring Students With Disabilities Can Access Your Workplace and Thrive Once There

    To foster a truly diverse and inclusive workplace, employers should expand their DEI efforts to encompass what is increasingly being referred to as DEIA—or diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

  11. Equity Definition (19)

    Reimagining Graduate Student Professional Development as an Inclusion, Equity, and Innovation Driver

    Evangeline “Eva” Kubu, Princeton University, explores how to address long-standing systems and practices to ensure all Ph.D. students have equitable access to comprehensive professional development.

  12. Equity Definition (20)

    The Impact of Career Services on Women Pursuing Tech Careers

    This study, a collaboration between NACE and Break Through Tech, provides evidence that career services can help level the playing field for women pursuing STEM careers.

  13. Equity Definition (21)

    Tap Into Resources for National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Beyond

    As October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, several organization offer resources about disability inclusion for employers and career services offices to use now and throughout the year.

  14. Equity Definition (22)

    Fall 2023 Affirmative Action and Internship Quick Poll

    As we enter the new school and recruiting season, NACE is conducting a Fall Quick Poll. The focus of our poll is on two important issues– the impact the end of Affirmative Action is having on our work and state of unpaid internships.

  15. Equity Definition (23)

    What Can Be Done to Shrink the Widening Gender Pay Gap?

    Early data from a forthcoming NACE study indicate that the gender pay gap has widened over the past year, with female graduates now earning just 72 cents to every dollar earned by male graduates, down from around 81 cents.

  16. Equity Definition (24)

    URR PROFESSIONALS HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT PEOPLE’S LIVES

    Some of the rewarding aspects of being a URR professional include changing people’s lives and providing a seat at the table for many who may not have been historically represented.

  17. Equity Definition (25)

    Look Around, Lean In, and Level Up: Creating Strong Partnerships With HBCUs and PBIs

    What are some key considerations and steps for employers to take to create long-lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships with HBCUs and PBIs?

  18. Equity Definition (26)

    CULTURAL WEALTH, SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND CAREER OUTCOMES: BLACK ALUMNAE IN A MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTION

    A study at a minority-serving institution uncovers aspects of social and cultural capital that contribute to the college-to-career transition of Black undergraduate women.

  19. Equity Definition (27)

    LACK OF CONCEPTUAL CLARITY ABOUT DEI&B AND ITS DESIGNATED LEADERSHIP SLOWS PROGRESS

    Interviews with diversity, talent, and industry experts revealed confusion, conflation, and a general lack of conceptual clarity around fundamental differences in DEI& B in their organizations.

  20. Equity Definition (28)

    GAUGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FORMAL DIVERSITY RECRUITING EFFORTS

    Slightly more than 85% of employers reported having formal diversity recruiting goals, according to NACE’s 2022 Recruiting Benchmarks Report, but how effective are these efforts?

Equity Definition (2024)

FAQs

What does equity mean in simple terms? ›

The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances.

What is equity vs equality? ›

Equity means everyone is provided specific resources they need to be successful. 3. Equality means everyone is treated the same exact way, regardless of differences and specific needs.

What is equity to a person? ›

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circ*mstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equality.

What is equity in business? ›

What Is Equity? Equity, referred to as shareholders' equity (or owners' equity for privately held companies), represents the amount of money that would be returned to a company's shareholders if all of the assets were liquidated and all of the company's debt was paid off in the case of liquidation.

What basically is equity? ›

Equity can have multiple meanings, but at its core means ownership, or more specifically, the value of an ownership stake in an asset or company. Some of the most recognizable forms of equity are ownership in a company or your home's value after subtracting your mortgage balance.

What is an example of equity? ›

Equity is providing a taller ladder on one side or propping the tree up so it's at an angle where access is equal for both people. A line of people of different heights are watching an event from behind a fence. Equality is giving equal opportunity for each person to get a box to stand on to get a better view.

What is equity in a relationship? ›

Lesson Summary. Equity theory proposes that individuals in a relationship, whether that be a platonic relationship (a friendship), a familial relationship, or a romantic relationship, are comforted by an equal distribution between what is given and what is taken in a relationship.

Is equity good or bad? ›

The most important benefit of equity financing is that the money does not need to be repaid. However, the cost of equity is often higher than the cost of debt.

What is equity behavior? ›

Equity is giving everyone access to the same opportunities, even if it means treating people differently. In schools, in the workplace, and throughout society, people have vastly unequal access to opportunities based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, and other forms of identity.

What does equity mean in the Bible? ›

Equity is an integral part of biblical justice. However, it's not given an exact definition in the Bible. The main Hebrew word for equity (mê·šā·rîm) conveys ideas like uprightness, straightness, levelness, fairness, truth, order, and integrity. The word “equality” also appears several times throughout the Bible.

What is equity for dummies? ›

Equity Explained

Equity is the total, liquid cash value of an asset. But to accurately calculate that value, you need to account for any debts or other liabilities first. The total equity is the value minus all liabilities. This definition may apply to personal or corporate ownership.

What does equity mean in the workplace? ›

Equity in the workplace is about ensuring all employees access the same opportunities, resources, and treatment. Equity means employees are valued based on their skills, knowledge, and abilities in a workplace, rather than their characteristics.

What is a simple way to understand equity? ›

Equity can be defined as the amount of money the owner of an asset would be paid after selling it and any debts associated with the asset were paid off. For example, if you own a home that's worth $200,000 and you have a mortgage of $50,000, the equity in the home would be worth $150,000.

What is equity short answer? ›

Equity is the amount of capital invested or owned by the owner of a company. The equity is evaluated by the difference between liabilities and assets recorded on the balance sheet of a company. The worthiness of equity is based on the present share price or a value regulated by the valuation professionals or investors.

How do you explain equity to a child? ›

Equity refers to the principle of fairness. Equity is similar to equality, but equality only works when everyone starts at the same place. Therefore, equity focuses on helping people obtain what they need so they can get to a place where equality is possible.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Margart Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 5672

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Margart Wisoky

Birthday: 1993-05-13

Address: 2113 Abernathy Knoll, New Tamerafurt, CT 66893-2169

Phone: +25815234346805

Job: Central Developer

Hobby: Machining, Pottery, Rafting, Cosplaying, Jogging, Taekwondo, Scouting

Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.