Informing and Compelling Action: Advancing Post-Completion Success for Latino Students Fact Sheet
Excelencia in Education
January 2026
Why Post-Completion Success Matters
As the Latino population grows, their educational and career success is tied to the nation’s economic prosperity. Despite current discourse that calls to question the value of higher education, research continues to show that a college degree increases lifetime earnings, job stability, and long-term well-being. For Latino students, degrees can transform life trajectories—not only for individuals but for entire families. Strengthening pathways from college to career for Latino, and all, students is key to our country, future workforce, and advancing economic mobility.
In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of key trends on Latinos in the workforce and three post-completion success strategies.
Key Trends
Latino College Enrollment & Completion: Enrollment grew from 49% to 58% and completion grew from 23% to 41% (2000–2022)
Projected Growth: Latino college enrollment projected to rise 21% by 2030, reaching 4.5 million students
Latinos’ Labor Force Participation: Highest among racial/ethnic groups (66%) and projected to account for 91% of new workers by 2031
Opportunity Gaps: Latinos are overrepresented in low-wage jobs and underrepresented in management and professional occupations. In 2023, only 26% of Latinos held management or professional jobs, compared to 59% of Asians, 44% of Whites, and 36% of African Americans.
Strategies for Post-Completion Success
Latinos are driving the nation’s economic growth, and higher education has the responsibility to ensure that all students thrive and succeed beyond degree completion. Excelencia’s fact sheet highlights three key post-completion strategies that institutions can implement to advance Latino, and all, students’ success beyond graduation:
Preparing Students for Workforce Success by Embedding Career Development into Academics
Linking Students to Workforce Opportunities Through Partnerships and Experiential Learning
Measuring and Tracking Outcomes to Drive Data-Informed Workforce Preparation
Suggested Citation:
Excelencia in Education. (2026). Informing and Compelling Action: Advancing Post-Completion Success for Latino Students Fact Sheet. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education
