Apr 8, 2026
Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org
Excelencia in Education Finds That HSIs Enroll and Graduate Two-Thirds of Latino, and One-Third of All, Undergraduates, but Face Elimination of Federal Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 8, 2026) – Excelencia in Education today released its annual analysis of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) — identifying 631. HSIs now represent 1 out of every 5 colleges and universities (21%), yet they enrolled and graduated 65% of Latino, and 32% of all, students in the past year.
The Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2026 Factbook details the current profile of HSIs, including their growth and pipeline. The Factbook also describes themes of how HSIs have innovated with federal Title V capacity-building funds to provide a quality education for Latino, and all, students, and it articulates the disruption to their efforts when the current administration eliminated $350 million in funding for HSIs and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) last year.
Excelencia’s analysis shows the number of HSIs increased by 29 in 2024-25. HSls are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment. HSIs have tripled since they first received federal funding more than 30 years ago — reflecting significant growth in Latino college enrollment. As HSIs grow, they also serve more students from all backgrounds — enrolling 42% of Asian, 24% of Black, and 18% of White undergraduates in college today.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) challenged the constitutionality of the MSI programs and redistributed this funding to other programs for FY2025. This includes $229 million that Congress appropriated to HSIs through the Title V Developing HSIs Program for capacity building that improves education access and quality for Latino and other low-income students. Excelencia estimates $112 million will be lost for 49 institutions in 12 states that successfully competed for five-year Title V grants in 2024 — undermining advancements on their campuses that benefit all students they enroll.
There remains uncertainty around HSI funding. Despite Congress’ FY2026 appropriation of about $259 million for HSIs through Title V funds, the current administration has demonstrated a clear intention that it will redistribute these funds, along with the $78 million appropriated for other MSIs, to the Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), funded at $102 million. The analysis anticipates that this move will result in HSIs with low education and general expenditures and high enrollment of needy students competing for needed funds with a much larger pool of over 1,000 eligible institutions.
"The current administration’s actions contradict the critical role HSIs play in providing access to a quality education and meeting our national need for a highly educated citizenry and workforce,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education Co-founder and CEO. “As HSIs enroll a greater share of all students, the need for sustained, targeted investment in strengthening their capacity has never been clearer.”
The Factbook further highlights the innovation and capacity-building efforts halted by the elimination of Title V funding. It shows 2024 grantees planned to leverage funds to modernize learning infrastructure and academic programs, invest in faculty development and student-centered support systems for all students, and link students to workforce opportunities. In particular, Miami Dade College — an institution that has earned the Seal of Excelencia for continuous improvement in student success — planned to invest Title V funds on its Medical Campus to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce pipeline.
Excelencia also identified institutions that have sustained work that began with Title V investments, demonstrating the progress and transformation possible through this funding. Examples of sustained work include embedding career exploration into core coursework, leveraging AI for financial education, strengthening industry partnerships, elevating high-impact research opportunities, and implementing evidence-based course redesign.
Excelencia releases its analysis of HSIs every year to inform the field of where Latinos enroll, examine institutional efforts increasing student success, and compel action to transform higher education and intentionally serve Latino, and all, students.
Access the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2026 Factbook here: EdExcelencia.org/research/publications/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis-factbook
About Excelencia in Education
Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org