Best Hispanic Serving Institutions in Florida
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- Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) are accredited colleges where Hispanic students make up at least 25% of the enrolled study body.
- HSIs have many educational benefits, including access to Hispanic-targeted resources and funding opportunities.
- Some students prefer the social and cultural connections that come with attending an HSI.
Not all colleges are considered Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). In fact, HSI is a federal classification defined by the Department of Education.
What exactly is an HSI? In order to be an HSI, the college must be an eligible institution, and Hispanic students must make up at least 25% of the enrolled student body. As a result, HSIs often provide academic and student-life support services aimed at assisting Hispanic students in particular.
HSIs are impactful in recruiting and retaining Hispanic students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 36% of Hispanic 18-24-year-olds enroll in college, compared to 64% of Asian young adults and 41% of white young adults.
The number of recognized HSIs is growing, and these institutions continue to support Hispanic students and increase the number of Hispanic graduates.
8 Best HSIs in Florida
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We want to help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our ranking methodology. To rank HSIs in Florida, we used the average amount of federal student loans awarded to undergraduate students instead of the default rate. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,080
- Out-of-state$52,080
- In-State$39,060
- Out-of-state$39,060
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate33%
- Students Enrolled17,809
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled71,881
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled58,836
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,522
- Out-of-state$14,374
- In-State$5,467
- Out-of-state$16,695
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled30,805
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$32,370
- Out-of-state$32,370
- In-State$20,618
- Out-of-state$20,618
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled20,888
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Ana G. Mendez University
- San Juan, PR
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$5,700
- Out-of-state$7,800
- In-State$7,800
- Out-of-state$10,500
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,505
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
St. Thomas University
- Miami Gardens, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$31,800
- Out-of-state$31,800
- In-State$14,400
- Out-of-state$14,400
- Retention Rate49%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled5,601
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$30,600
- Out-of-state$30,600
- In-State$17,820
- Out-of-state$17,820
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled7,515
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
Benefits of Attending an HSI
Attending an HSI can be extremely beneficial for Hispanic students, both socially and academically.
- Specialized resources: Along with the typical academic resources available to students (tutoring, career services, academic advising, etc.), HSIs may also offer resources specifically designed for Hispanic students, including Spanish-language programs.
- Connection: Because HSIs must meet a certain threshold for the number of Hispanic students, there is a higher chance you will be able to form connections with students of similar backgrounds and cultures.
- Scholarship opportunities: Many HSIs offer scholarships for Hispanic students and other minority groups.
- Inclusivity: At an HSI, you can find student organizations for Hispanic students and may find a higher number of cultural events.
5 Resources for Hispanic College Students in Florida
Hispanic Outreach Center
With a mission to help the Hispanic residents of Pinellas County, the Hispanic Outreach Center has resources and educational opportunities for people of all ages. Students can take advantage of English classes, interpreters, and legal workshops.
Hispanic Heritage Fund
The Hispanic Heritage Fund offers scholarships for Hispanic students in Central Florida. You will also have access to student workshops aimed to help students be successful in college and graduate with a degree.
Latino Leadership
Along with programs aimed to help further education and achieve financial stability, the Latino Leadership organization also provides technology access for students who need to fill out college- and scholarship applications.
Excelencia in Education
Students can become members of Excelencia in Education and receive access to a variety of resources as well as research. The group also provides numerous programs and network opportunities for Hispanic college students.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The goal of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation is to help Latino/as assist other Latino/as. They provide a scholarship fund for Hispanic students and focus on leadership in the community.
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