Latino College Completion -

Iowa

Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. However, different patterns emerge within each state or location. To reach the Latino degree attainment goal by 2030, states can close the degree completion gap by accelerating Latino completion while increasing for all students and scale up programs and initiatives that work for Latino, and all, students.

To find out more, scroll below.

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Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2021)

26%

Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher

VS

44%

Of White adults

Fast Facts

Iowa had the 36th largest Latino population in the U.S.

Latino Population

11%

K-12 Population

7%

Total Population

2-Year Graduation Rate

31%

Latino Students

43%

White Students

Median Age

23

Latinos

41

White

4-Year Graduation Rate

59%

Latino Students

73%

White Students

Degree Outcomes

At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 12%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Iowa.

At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 14%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Iowa.

Bar charts comparing 2-year institutions with 4-year institutions graduation rates between Hispanic and White non-Hispanic peers in Iowa.

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Top Institutions

To find out more about the top institutions enrolling, and awarding associate and bachelor degrees to Hispanics by using the tabs below to navigate the information.

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Top Institutions Enrolling (Hispanic Undergraduates) in Iowa, 2021-2022

Rank	Institutions	Sector	Grand Total	Hispanic Total	% Hispanic
1	University of Iowa	Public, 4-year or above	21,198	1,811	9%
2	Iowa State University	Public, 4-year or above	25,537	1,790	7%
3	Des Moines Area Community College	Public, 2-year	10,175	852	8%
4	Western Iowa Tech Community College	Public, 2-year	2,657	587	22%
5	Kirkwood Community College	Public, 2-year	7,778	548	7%

Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Iowa, 2020-2021

Rank	Institutions	Sector	Grand Total	Hispanic Total	% Hispanic
1	Des Moines Area Community College	Public, 2-year	1,996	125	6%
2	Kirkwood Community College	Public, 2-year	1,625	110	7%
3	Eastern Iowa Community College District	Public, 2-year	835	94	11%
4	Western Iowa Tech Community College	Public, 2-year	417	59	14%
5	Iowa Central Community College	Public, 2-year	732	48	7%

Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Iowa, 2020-2021

Rank	Institutions	Sector	Grand Total	Hispanic Total	% Hispanic
1	University of Iowa	Public, 4-year or above	5,283	408	8%
2	Iowa State University	Public, 4-year or above	6,405	345	5%
3	University of Northern Iowa	Public, 4-year or above	2,227	92	4%
4	Upper Iowa University	Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above	933	74	8%
5	Drake University	Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above	628	49	8%

Examples of What Works for Latino Students

Here are some institutions showing success in enrolling, retaining, and graduating Latino students:

College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) - Washington State University

WSU CAMP's mission is to improve the lives of migrant or seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) and their families through higher education attainment.

Project upGRADS

Project upGRADS at California State University, Fullerton aims to improve access to graduate education for Latinx students.

Sources

Excelencia in Education. (2020). Ensuring America’s Future: Benchmarking Latino College Completion to 2030. Excelencia in Education. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates.

Excelencia in Education Analysis using the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2021 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey and Institutional Characteristics Survey.