Best Colleges for Hispanic Students
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Founded in 1986, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) works to formally recognize campuses committed to higher education access and success within Hispanic communities. Today, the group maintains a membership network of more than 500 colleges and universities designated as Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).
To be an HSI, an institution must have an undergraduate enrollment that is at least 25% Hispanic. These institutions usually offer supportive academic and student life resources developed especially for Latino/a and Hispanic students while also celebrating these cultures. Keep reading to learn about some of the country’s top HSIs and learn about the value of these important institutions.
Why Attend a Hispanic-Serving Institution?
Attending a Hispanic-serving institution offers many benefits for Hispanic students, ranging from academic support and cultural representation to resources and advocacy. We review three of these benefits below.
Academic Support
HSIs offer dedicated academic support to Hispanic students, such as customized orientations, advising, and translation services for students and their families. This kind of tailored support can be crucial to ensure Latino/a retention in college. In a study conducted by the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, HSIs maintained a substantially higher retention rate of Hispanic students than non-Hispanic-serving institutions did.
Cultural Representation
HSIs provide a unique culture that advances Hispanic achievement and provides resources specific to this population. HSI students can find plenty of tailored clubs and organizations, Hispanic or bilingual professors, and events celebrating their history and heritage. The best HSIs will also make an effort to recruit and hire Latino/a faculty and staff.
Workforce Preparation
A report by Excelencia in Education details how HSIs focus on integrated workforce preparation, including experiential learning experiences that help Hispanic students gain the tools and skills needed to find a job after graduating. Many also work with local employers to provide internship and networking opportunities.
Best Hispanic-Serving Institutions of 2023
How We Rank Schools
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We ranked the U.S.’s nearly 300 accredited four-year Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) by academics to bring you this list of the best colleges for Hispanic students.
5 Resources for Hispanic College Students
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund:HSF offers several scholarships each academic year, ranging from $500 to $5,000. The group also provides resources and support services to help Hispanic students and their families navigate higher education.
- League of United Latin American Citizens:LULAC offers a range of scholarships to help undergraduate and graduate Hispanic students find the funding needed to earn degrees.
- Association of Latino Professionals for America:ALPFA provides membership to students and professionals alike, offering access to job boards, programming, events, resources, and funding opportunities.
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers: As the nation’s largest professional body devoted to Hispanic STEM professionals, SHPE provides members access to internships, mentorships, scholarships, career services and other resources.
- National Society of Hispanic MBAs: With chapters located across the country, NSHMBA advocates for educational access while providing opportunities for professional advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges for Hispanic Students
Which colleges are Hispanic/Latino/a-friendly?
Many colleges feature a diverse student population and provide services and support for learners from all backgrounds. However, due to their large Hispanic representation, HSIs tend to offer more specialized services, programs, and events to Hispanic and Latino/a students. Prospective students can locate HSIs in HACU’s database.
Are there any Hispanic-only colleges?
While many schools feature a predominantly Hispanic population, no schools restrict access to other races and ethnicities. However, in many schools in Puerto Rico, such as the University of Puerto Rico Arecibo, Hispanic students make up 100% of the student population, according to Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit research organization that aims to “accelerate Latino student success in higher education.
What university has the largest Hispanic population?
Florida International University boasts the largest population of Hispanic learners in the U.S.with more than 32,000 Hispanic students out of 45,400 undergraduate students.
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