To study the role of skin color as a distinct social component of racial/ethnic cultural identity in the context of Brazilian higher education students.

From an existing database holding information on 1,306 students at a Brazilian public university, economic, academic and demographic differences relating to skin color were explored, as well as their experiences of discrimination and stereotypes held by Black and Brown minority groups of students. As they share many features, they were analyzed together, regarding quantitative variables, and compared to the White majority group. Blacks and Browns were compared to one another when there was any quantitatively significant difference between them and for their responses to open-ended questions about racial/ethnic identity, experiences of racism and discrimination.

Both Blacks and Browns share social markers of disadvantages in Brazilian society, which is accentuated in university populations. Black students show the worst social-economic status. Blacks also have a more established involvement with ethnic traditions and they report more experiences of discrimination than the Brown group of students.

Different factors influence the individual's cultural identity, which, in turn, leads to the development of particular perceptions, thoughts and attitudes. Blacks and Browns in Brazilian society share, besides African origins, similar indexes of social markers and both are socially disadvantaged, when compared to the White population. Nevertheless, they are not similar in other respects. This study found that self-declared Black students usually have a more developed sense of ethnicity and participation in themes related to Afro culture.