A Profile of Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Hispanic students are thriving at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) that are intentionally serving their Latino students. When compared to their peers attending predominantly white institutions (PWIs), those attending HSIs report a multitude of differences in their experiences. Those attending HSIs reported more of a supportive environment and greater levels of satisfaction than their peers at PWIs. These positive feelings about their chosen school can increase a sense of belongingness, which in turn contributes to higher retention and graduation rates.

The number of HSIs has doubled in the last 10 years, with 600 meeting the enrollment minimum and 400 additional institutions projected to meet that enrollment minimum in the next few years. These numbers demonstrate how HSIs are on the verge of representing a quarter or more of all degree granting institutions of higher education in the U.S. The growth of HSIs is a direct result of the growth of the Latino population in the U.S., which stood at 19.1 percent in the 2020 census. That number is expected to reach 25 percent in the next generation. The growth in HSIs is an opportunity for those institutions to become more intentional in serving their Latino students through support services, culturally relevant education, and cultural community events.

This profile examines the culture at Hispanic Serving Institutions as well as opportunities and challenges around digital learning at HSIs. We listened to the students, faculty, and academic leaders at HSIs whom we interviewed for this report and determined that, while accountability is a key factor for institutional relationships with government and nonprofit programs, it does not characterize the experience of students at HSIs. Our research uncovered that students at HSIs valued experiences that celebrate Hispanic and Latino culturas (cultures), nurture bonds among and service to the Hispanic comunidad (community), and demonstrated the institution’s intención (intention) to serve Latino students.