Latino College Completion -

Tennessee

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.

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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

40%

Of White adults

Fast Facts

Tennessee had the 26th largest Latino population in the U.S.

Latino Population

10%

K-12 Population

6%

Total Population

2-Year Graduation Rate

31%

Latino Students

32%

White Students

Median Age

25

Latinos

42

White

4-Year Graduation Rate

58%

Latino Students

63%

White Students

Degree Outcomes

At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 1%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Tennessee.

At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 5%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Tennessee.

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

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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 Tennessee, 2021-2022

Rank	Institutions	Sector	Grand Total	Hispanic Total	% Hispanic
1	Middle Tennessee State University	Public, 4-year or above	17,713	1,412	8%
2	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	Public, 4-year or above	24,957	1,375	6%
3	University of Memphis	Public, 4-year or above	14,591	1,195	8%
4	Vanderbilt University	Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above	7,104	758	11%
5	Austin Peay State University	Public, 4-year or above	7,490	721	10%

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

Rank	Institutions	Sector	Grand Total	Hispanic Total	% Hispanic
1	Austin Peay State University	Public, 4-year or above	1,301	133	10%
2	Nashville State Community College	Public, 2-year	1,025	101	10%
3	Motlow State Community College	Public, 2-year	1,112	96	9%
4	Pellissippi State Community College	Public, 2-year	1,599	88	6%
5	Volunteer State Community College	Public, 2-year	1,243	80	6%

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

Rank	Institutions	Sector	Grand Total	Hispanic Total	% Hispanic
1	Middle Tennessee State University	Public, 4-year or above	3,916	238	6%
2	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	Public, 4-year or above	5,170	214	4%
3	University of Memphis	Public, 4-year or above	3,152	171	5%
4	Vanderbilt University	Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above	1,712	167	10%
5	Belmont University	Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above	1,536	109	7%

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.