This brief serves as a primer on conditions and history of the invention of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and how they contribute to Latino student success. < Back Inventing Hispanic-Serving Institutions: The Basics Deborah A. Santiago February 2006 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are important institutions for Latinos, yet little research exists on them. This brief serves as a primer on the conditions and history behind their invention, the processes for identification, and the general institutional characteristics of HSIs. It also offers an overview of how these institutions are contributing to Latino student success. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia provides an updated summary of how Latinos pay for college to inform financial aid policy to ensure Latino college access, retention, and success. < Back How Latinos Pay for College Fact Sheet Excelencia in Education April 2019 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia knows college is not affordable for many Latino students. One of our first reports (2005) summarized how Latino students paid for college. Fifteen years later we see significantly more Latinos in higher education—but challenges in affordability remain. The profile of Latino students and their participation in federal financial aid are important as we consider implications for policy changes and investments. Latino students make pragmatic choices to finance their college education. Latino students pay for college through grants more so than loans and adapt their enrollment and the types of institutions they enroll in to make college affordable. In this factsheet, Excelencia provides a summary of how Latinos pay for college to better inform financial aid policy to ensure Latino college access, retention, and success. This summary includes Latino students’ participation in federal student aid overall, Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans with the latest available data from the 2015-16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education analysis of U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2015-16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This factsheet provides an overview of the Latina population and college enrollment and educational attainment of Latinas at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). < Back Latinas at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Excelencia in Education March 2023 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview The Latino population in the United States has grown significantly over the last decade, and Latina representation has grown more quickly than Latinos. This factsheet provides an overview of the Latina population, as well as the college enrollment and educational attainment of Latinas at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) — a critical set of institutions enrolling and graduating Latinos in the U.S. Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (March 2023). Latinas at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia's analysis provides a detailed profile of Latino students and the institutions where they choose to enroll to inform policy and mobilize action. < Back Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts Excelencia in Education April 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education's latest analysis builds on previous compilations of fact sheets to provide a detailed profile on Latino students and the institutions where they choose to enroll to inform policy and mobilize action. For 20 years, Excelencia has led the way through innovative, collaborative, and actionable efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education throughout the United States. The fact sheets included in this compilation illustrate these efforts and inform Excelencia’s four policy priorities: affordability, institutional capacity, retention and transfer, and workforce preparation. Across this compilation, it is apparent that Latinos and the institutions where they choose to enroll face clear opportunities for action. Stay tuned for updated analysis on how Latino students pay for college in February 2025. Consider the following: Latinos … … are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college than any other racial group. … are more likely to receive the federal Pell Grant and are less likely to take out student loans to pay for college. … have the highest labor force participation rate compared to all other racial groups but are more likely to be represented in occupations with lower salaries. Institutions serving Latinos… … are predominantly Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), educating 63% of all Latinos in the nation while representing 20% of all postsecondary institutions. … are Seal of Excelencia certified institutions, graduating Latinos at a higher rate than institutions nationally. Table of Contents OVERVIEW OF LATINO STUDENTS This section provides an overview of the evolving profile of Latino students in higher education, including Latino males, Latinas, adult learners, and students in Puerto Rico. OVERVIEW OF INSTITUTIONS ENROLLING LATINO STUDENTS This section provides an overview of the institutions enrolling and SERVING Latino students, including institutions within Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network, Seal of Excelencia certified institutions, the top 25 institutions awarding credentials/degrees to Latino students (by award level) and primarily associate degree-granting baccalaureate (PAB) institutions. AFFORDABILITY This section outlines the pragmatic choices Latino students make to pay for their college education: by using grant aid like the Pell Grant or working while enrolled. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY This section describes the current landscape of HSIs and federal funding available with the purpose of building the capacity of HSIs to expand the educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, their Latino students. WORKFORCE This section provides an overview of Latinos in the workforce, including their representation across occupations and earnings. This section also provides an overview of Latinos’ representation in STEM, health, and education occupations. *Data on page 9 of this compilation were updated on May 30, 2024 *Data on page 22 of this compilation were updated on September 25, 2024 Suggested Citation: Santiago, D., Arroyo, C., & Cuellarsola, L. (April 2024). Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Made possible with the support and public leadership of 24 Seal of Excelencia certified institutions: Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

The report examines enrollment and graduation at 8 Texas institutions, highlights programs and strategies serving Latino students, and offers policy recommendations. < Back ALASS: Accelerating Latino Student Success at Texas Border Institutions: Possibilities and Challenges Deborah A. Santiago September 2008 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication Executive Summary SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview The report examines enrollment and graduation trends at eight Texas institutions, highlights promising programs and strategies for serving Latino students, and offers policy recommendations for improving success rates for the state's Latino students. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of HSIs, Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), and HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) in 2023-24. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Fact Sheet: 2023-24 Excelencia in Education April 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview There are now 602 HSIs located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These institutions represent 20% of all colleges and universities but enroll 30% and graduate 31% of all undergraduates earning a degree in the U.S. HSIs also enroll 64% and graduate 66% of all Latino undergraduates earning degrees in the nation. As the number of HSIs is increasing, the number of eHSIs and gHSIs also continues to increase. In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of HSIs, Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), and HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs). See additional data related to 2023-24 HSIs: List Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List Infographic with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) List Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2025). Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Factsheet: 2023-24 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more about how Excelencia creates the list of HSIs. Learn more in Excelencia ’s new HSI Factbook Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This publication is an environmental scan of colleges and universities in Puerto Rico to understand their resilience and efforts to serve Latino, and all, students. < Back Higher Education in Puerto Rico: Conditions and Context Influencing Institutional Resilience Excelencia in Education May 2021 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education conducted an environmental scan of Puerto Rico to better understand the community and context of higher education, as colleges and universities transform to better serve their Latino students. This environmental scan identifies and includes a profile of the community overall, the socio-economic profile and educational pipeline, and the condition of institutions of higher education over the past several years. The context of colleges and universities to enroll, retain, and graduate their Latino (and all) students can help to understand institutional resiliency during times of crises. This can help inform efforts to support institutions and students on the island, as well as other institutions on the U.S. mainland so they can better serve their Latino and all students during times of economic, political, and natural challenges. This publication is the first of a two-part study on transformation by colleges and universities to better serve their Latino, and all, students in Puerto Rico and will be in partnership with the Puerto Rico Endowment for the Humanities ( La Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades ). This publication was developed with the support of Ascendium Education Group. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Puerto Rico View the infographic on Higher Education in Puerto Rico: Conditions and Context Influencing Institutional Resilience Webinar - Higher Education in Puerto Rico: Conditions and Context Influencing Institutional Resilience - A Conversation with Puerto Rican Leaders After a challenging five years, what is the condition of higher education in Puerto Rico and what can institutions on the mainland learn as they address similar challenges? Presented in cooperation with Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades. Moderator : Deborah Santiago , Co-Founder & CEO Excelencia in Education Speakers : Margarita Benítez , Executive Director, Puerto Rico Endowment for the Humanities ( Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades) Hilda Colón Plumey , Educational Consultant José Caraballo-Cueto , Associate Professor University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Click Below to download the webinar slides (PDF). SLIDES-Webinar-Higher-Education-Puerto-Rico .pdf Download PDF • 1.70MB Click Below t o download the Net Migration: Puerto Rico 2011-2020 (PDF in Spanish only). *Provided by José Caraballo-Cueto Net-Migration-PR-2011-2020 .pdf Download PDF • 253KB Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This compilation has fact sheets covering Excelencia's policy priorities: affordability, institutional capacity, retention and transfer, and workforce preparation. < Back Latinos in Higher Education: Compilation of Fast Facts Excelencia in Education April 2019 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education to address the U.S. economy’s need for a highly educated workforce for civic leadership. Policy must keep up with our country’s changing demographics to serve students. This compilation includes fact sheets covering Excelencia's four policy priorities: affordability, institutional capacity, retention and transfer, and workforce preparation. In addition, the compilation covers the following topics: adult learners, enrollment and completion of Latinos in Puerto Rico, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and the top 25 institutions awarding degrees to Latinos at every degree level. Table of Contents: OVERVIEW Profile of Latino College Students Latino Males in Higher Education Latino Adult Learners in Higher Education Higher Education in Puerto Rico AFFORDABILITY How Latinos Pay for College Latinos and Student Loans Latinos and Pell Grants INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2017-2018 Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) 101: Building Capacity RETENTION, TRANSFER, and COMPLETION Latino Pathways to College Completion Latino College Enrollment and Completion: Top States Top 25 Institutions Awarding Credentials/Degrees to Latinos: Certificates Associate Baccalaureate Master's Doctorate First Professional Latinos and College Completion: Degrees Awarded 2016-2017 Latino Degree Attainment: 5 Year Overview WORKFORCE Latino Student Success and the Workforce Life Outcomes After Graduation: A Focus on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Summary analysis and list of the 602 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) identified for the 2023-24 academic year. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2023-24 Excelencia in Education April 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview 2025 marks 30 years of federal funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). HSIs were included in federal legislation in the 1992 Higher Education Act and received dedicated federal funding in 1995 to build capacity, improve academic quality, and expand access for Latino and other low-income students. HSIs are defined in federal legislation as accredited, degree-granting public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment. Since the organization’s founding over 20 years ago, Excelencia in Education has released its annual analysis on this critical group of institutions enrolling and graduating Latino students. There are now 602 HSIs located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These institutions represent 20% of all colleges and universities but enroll 30% and graduate 31% of all undergraduates earning a degree in the U.S. HSIs also enroll 64% and graduate 66% of all Latino undergraduates earning degrees in the nation. See additional data related to 2023-24 HSIs: Fact Sheet Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) List Infographic Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps *Publication download updated as of May 12, 2025* Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2025). Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2023-24 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more about how Excelencia creates the list of HSIs. Learn more in Excelencia's new HSI Factbook. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Trendsetting colleges and universities across the country are on the journey to more intentionally SERVE Latino students in partnership with Excelencia in Education. The Journey to Intentionally Serve Latino, and All, Students Trendsetting colleges and universities across the country are on the journey to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students in partnership with Excelencia in Education. By identifying opportunities to do things differently and investing in transformation on their campuses, they are becoming places where Latino, and all, students thrive. As a trusted partner, facilitator, and guide, Excelencia meets institutions where they are on their journeys to increase Latino, and all, student success with intentionality and impact. We leverage over 20 years of experience listening to, learning from, and working with colleges and universities to empower those in our network to expand awareness of who they serve, conduct analysis of what works, and take action that ensures their students are served well. Outcomes from the Journey Excelencia sees colleges and universities through the milestones of the journey to more intentionally serve Latino students. Specifically, we support institutions to: Advance a mindset and culture among campus leadership of increasing institutional capacity to more intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. Improve enrollment, retention, and completion rates for Latino, and all, students. Improve data collection methods to better analyze students’ current and future needs. Galvanize systemic change efforts across institutions by cultivating champions that enhance intentionality in serving Latino students within institutions and broadly. Build sustaining relationships within and across institutions, as part of Excelencia’s approach to creating a community of common cause. Support institutional strategic planning by increasing understanding of the Seal of Excelencia framework , which integrates essential components of data, practice, and leadership. Institutions on the Journey Excelencia in Action national network represents more than 200 higher education leaders committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. This network represents just 6% of colleges and universities in the country yet enrolls 34% and graduates 36% of all Latino students nationwide. Affiliation with the network affirms commitment to increasing Latino, and all, student success, and institutions have unique opportunities to go further by participating in Excelencia’s collaborative learning and support. PARTNER WITH EXCELENCIA Evidence-Based Practices on the Journey For 21 years, Excelencia has brought attention to noteworthy efforts to increase Latino, and all, student success in higher education, inspiring educators, community leaders, funders, and policymakers to bring to scale evidence-based practices. Essential to this work is Examples of Excelencia , the only national, data-driven effort to identify and promote what works for Latino and other post-traditional students. Institutions on the journey have the opportunity to share programs on their campus with evidence of effectiveness in serving Latino, and all, students. We equip program leaders to measure their impact with our Examples of Excelencia Program Profile Submission Guide , and support opportunities to learn about and connect with programs recognized by Excelencia . Click here to explore what works for student success and to connect with the leaders of evidence-based programs. SHARE YOUR IMPACT Resources on the Journey Excelencia’s robust capacity building strategy informs institutional efforts to advance awareness, analysis, and action — important steps on the journey to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Intentionally serving students begins with self-assessment, which Excelencia facilitates through the Seal Serving Institutional Transformation Assessment (SSITA) , a tool and cohort-based experience for institutions to assess who they serve with a Latino lens. From there, Excelencia’s Capacity Building Institutes offer curated content and community building that support institutional teams as they learn, share, and implement strategies to align student success efforts across data, practice, and leadership. EXPLORE TA OPPORTUNITIES Meet the 61 institutions partnering with Excelencia to elevate their commitment to Latino, and all, student success in 2024: Arizona Arizona State University Pima Community College Scottsdale Community College California Berkeley City College California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt California State University Channel Islands California State University, Fresno California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach California State University, Northridge California State University, San Bernardino Glendale Community College Long Beach City College Loyola Marymount University San Francisco State University University of California, Davis University of California, Merced University of California, Santa Cruz Florida Florida International University Miami Dade College Georgia Dalton State College Illinois City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College College of Lake County Northern Illinois University University of Illinois Chicago Indiana Purdue University Northwest Massachusetts Holyoke Community College Salem State University Michigan Grand Valley State University Western Michigan University New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University Montclair State University UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Nevada University of Nevada, Las Vegas New York Mercy University State University of New York at Oneonta University at Albany – State University of New York Oregon Columbia Gorge Community College Pennsylvania Lehigh Carbon Community College Texas Austin Community College District El Paso Community College Laredo College Lone Star College-University Park Northwest Vista College San Antonio College South Texas College Southwestern Adventist University St. Edward's University St. Mary's University in San Antonio Sul Ross State University Texas A&M University-Kingsville Texas Tech University The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Dallas The University of Texas at San Antonio The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley University of Houston-Downtown Washington Bellevue College Wisconsin Gateway Technical College

Excelencia developed the Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (eHSI) category to track growth of potential HSIs. There were 418 eHSIs in the 2023-24 academic year. < Back Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (eHSIs): 2023-24 Excelencia in Education April 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview The defining characteristic of HSIs is their Hispanic enrollment, not their institutional mission. While there are 602 institutions that met the HSI enrollment requirement in 2023-24, there are also 418 institutions that have between 15 and 24.9 percent undergraduate full-time equivalent (FTE) Hispanic enrollment. These 418 institutions are identified as Emerging HSIs (eHSIs). Excelencia in Education developed the Emerging HSIs (eHSI) category to track the growth of potential HSIs in 2009. While eHSIs do not have the critical mass of Latino student enrollment required to meet the definition of an HSI, these institutions may soon meet the requirement as their enrollment grows and Latino representation increases. See additional data related to 2023-24 HSIs: Fact Sheet List with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) List Infographic Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2025). Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (eHSIs): 2023-24 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more in Excelencia’s new HSI Factbook. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Latino student college enrollment was growing at an accelerated pace, but in 2020 dropped. Excelencia provides a summary of past, current, and projected enrollment. < Back Latino College Enrollment: Past, Current, and Projections Excelencia in Education April 2022 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Latino student college enrollment had been growing at an accelerated pace for more than 20 years, but in 2020 dropped significantly despite previous projections of continued growth. While Latino student enrollment is projected to grow later in this decade, this growth is not at the accelerated pace seen in the years prior to the pandemic. In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of past, current, and projected Latino student enrollment that can help institutions identify and understand patterns to improve their efforts to more intentionally serve their Latino students. Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2022). Latino College Enrollment: Past, Current, and Projections. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Latino College Completion: 2019-2020 While Latino enrollment decreased in 2020, we continue to see an increase in Latino college completion. This brief provides the most up-to-date overview of Latino college completion. LEARN MORE Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce