25 Years of HSIs
A look at institutions that represent 17% of colleges and universities, but enroll 67% of all Latino undergraduates in higher education.
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Excelencia has shared analysis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) since we began (2004) and releases the list of institutions meeting the basic HSI definition every year, as well as lists on Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) and on HSIs with graduate programs (gHSIs).
This StoryMap is one in a series of Excelencia publications summarizing the 25 years of HSIs .
Growth
Latino student enrollment at HSIs has more than quadrupled in the last 25 years. In 2018-19, HSIs enrolled over 2.1 million Latino undergraduates (67% of all Latino undergraduates), compared to 490,000 in 1994-95 – a 329% increase.
The number of HSIs has more than doubled over 25 years. In 2018-19, there were 539 HSIs, compared to 189 in 1994-95 – a 185% increase.
Growth of HSIs
The maps that follow are interactive, click on a dot to learn more.
The legend is located on the bottom left and the zoom in/out button is located on the bottom right.
Geography/Demography Trends
The growth of HSIs is due to the increase and concentrated enrollment of Latino students.
More states and locations now have HSIs. In 2018-19, 27 total states and locations had HSIs, compared to 14 in 1994-95.
HSIs continue to be concentrated geographically.
Puerto Rico (53), California (40), and Texas (31) had the most HSIs in 1994-95. Yet, by 2018-19, California (176) and Texas (96) surpassed Puerto Rico (60) as the locations with the most HSIs.
Sector
HSIs are more likely to be four-year and public institutions.
By 2018-19, more than half (54%) of HSIs are four-year institutions (compared to 46% in 1994-95) and almost 70% of HSIs are public institutions (compared to 64% in 1994-95).
Growth of Public HSIs from 1994-95 to 2018-19
The largest growth in HSIs by sector has been in public 2-year institutions, an increase of 140 HSIs (154% increase).
Click and hold on the interactive, draggable handle below to see the growth of public HSIs.
Growth of Private HSIs from 1994-95 to 2018-19
The number of 4-year private HSIs has increased by 96 institutions (171% increase).
Click and hold on the interactive, draggable handle below to see the growth of private HSIs.
Future of HSIs
From geography & demography to intentionality & impact
The number of HSIs has nearly tripled over 25 years, and the number of HSIs has grown at a faster pace in the last decade than in the first 15 years. This increase is due to the concentrated growth of Latino student enrollment at HSIs in the last 25 years.
Excelencia is committed to significantly increasing the number of Latino students attaining college degrees by 2030 in partnership with institutions. Excelencia's Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) is a diverse network of postsecondary leaders committed to a goal of collectively making our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino college graduates. The network currently includes more than 100 leaders representing 150 institutions in 22 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.
P4LSS institutions represent 4% of colleges/universities, enroll 24% of all Latino students, and graduate 35% of all Latino degree completers.
As part of this commitment, in 2019, Excelencia established the Seal of Excelencia , a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to intentionally SERVE Latino students and demonstrate positive student outcomes. To date, Excelencia has certified 14 colleges and universities. Excelencia is committed to leveraging collective expertise and resources, fostering partnerships, and amplifying Seal institutions' current efforts at the national level.
