Empirical data are limited detailing the sexual behavior patterns of blacks. The present study describes similarities and differences in sexual behavior patterns of black and white college students. A convenience sample of 565 subjects was drawn from a large midwestern university. The Beicastro Sexual Behavior Inventory was utilized to collect data regarding the onset and frequency of numerous sexual behaviors. Overall, the two racial groups were more similar than dissimilar in their sexual behavior patterns. A few differences did emerge. Black males had more interracial coital experience than white males, and white males had more masturbatory experience than black males. White females, when compared to black females, were more likely to have performed fellatio, used coitus interruptus, and have masturbated a partner. Future researchers concerned with human sexual behavior should be sensitive to and control for differences within multi‐cultural populations. Furthermore, it is recommended that research dedicated to classifying people on a permissiveness construct be given a low priority in favor of research describing the sexual development and behavior patterns, across the life cycle, for diversified cultural groups in diversified geographic regions.