Best Hispanic Serving Institutions in Florida

Hispanic Serving Institutions provide additional support to Hispanic college students. Explore the best HSIs in Florida.
Whitney Sandoval
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Updated November 20, 2023
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Our Integrity Network

At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.

The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.


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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

#1

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$52,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

33%

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$39,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,060

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

17,809

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,080

Coral Gables, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$52,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$52,080

Acceptance Rate

33%

Online Enrollment

33%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$39,060

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,060

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

17,809

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$4,478

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,810

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

45%

Acceptance Rate

9%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,916

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,759

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

71,881

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,478

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,810

Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,478

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,810

Acceptance Rate

45%

Online Enrollment

9%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,916

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,759

Retention Rate

92%

Students Enrolled

71,881

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Florida International University

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$4,721

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,529

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

58%

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,912

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,393

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

58,836

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,721

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,529

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,721

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,529

Acceptance Rate

58%

Online Enrollment

86%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,912

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,393

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

58,836

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$2,522

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,374

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

75%

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,467

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,695

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

30,805

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$2,522

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,374

Boca Raton, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$2,522

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,374

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

97%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,467

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,695

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

30,805

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$32,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,618

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,618

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

20,888

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,370

Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,370

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,370

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

50%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,618

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,618

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

20,888

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#6

Ana G. Mendez University

San Juan, PR4 yearOnline

$5,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,800

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,500

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

2,505

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,800

Ana G. Mendez University

San Juan, PR4 yearOnline

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$7,800

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,800

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,500

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

2,505

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#7

St. Thomas University

Miami Gardens, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$31,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

60%

Acceptance Rate

36%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,400

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,400

Retention Rate

49%

Students Enrolled

5,601

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,800

Miami Gardens, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,800

Acceptance Rate

60%

Online Enrollment

36%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,400

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,400

Retention Rate

49%

Students Enrolled

5,601

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#8

Barry University

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$30,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

65%

Acceptance Rate

23%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,820

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,820

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

7,515

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,600

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,600

Acceptance Rate

65%

Online Enrollment

23%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,820

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,820

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

7,515

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

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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