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Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, has released a comprehensive new profile of Latino students: “Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts.” It provides a touchstone to better understand and intentionally serve one of the fastest growing college-age populations.
The analysis shows Latinos represent nearly 80% of the 4% overall growth in the number of degrees earned nationwide, despite their lower degree attainment compared to all students. These data points and more easily consumable facts from the compilation inform policy and mobilize action, building on Excelencia’s 20 years of leadership to accelerate Latino student success in higher education through research and innovative efforts.
Key findings from Excelencia’s analysis include:
- Latinos are far more likely to be first-generation college students.
- Latinos are more likely to receive the federal Pell Grant and less likely to accept federal student loans.
- Latinos have the highest labor force participation rate but are overrepresented in occupations with lower salaries.
- Institutions serving Latinos are predominantly Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), representing 20% of all colleges and universities yet educating 63% of Latino students.
- Seal of Excelencia certified institutions graduate Latinos at a higher rate than institutions nationally.
