Study: Hispanic-Serving Colleges Continue Steady Increase

Study: Hispanic-Serving Colleges Continue Steady Increase: The number of Hispanic-serving institutions, or HSIs, nationwide has increased by 24 percent since 2004 and could grow by another 40 percent if “emerging” HSIs in 18 states and Puerto Rico continue to grow, a new study says.

The data from Washington, D.C.-based Excelencia in Education found 293 nonprofit higher education institutions in 2010 with 25 percent or more total undergraduate Hispanic enrollment, qualifying them as HSIs. Another 204 higher education institutions are “emerging HSIs,” with undergraduate Hispanic enrollment that soon may reach the 25 percent threshold.

“We know how close we are to attaining even greater numbers of HSIs,” Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education’s vice president of policy and research, told Diverse. Colleges with 25 percent enrollment are eligible for federal funding specifically dedicated to HSIs.