5 Facts to Know about Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are a cornerstone of higher education in the United States, enrolling and supporting a significant portion of the nation’s Hispanic and Latino student population. Defined as colleges and universities where 25% or more of undergraduate students identify as Hispanic, these institutions have been instrumental in fostering academic success for one of the fastest-growing demographics in the U.S. Over the last decade, the Hispanic population has grown by nearly 10 million, with Hispanic and Latino students now accounting for a significant share of college enrollments.

For recruiters, HSIs represent  a great opportunity to connect with a thriving and dynamic talent pool. These institutions not only provide culturally inclusive programs and support systems but also graduate students who bring unique perspectives and skills to the workforce. By understanding the role and impact of HSIs, recruiters can build relationships that advance their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals while tapping into a vital source of talent.

Want to connect with students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions? With RippleMatch, you can target your recruitment efforts toward specific schools, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Learn more here!

To help you better understand the significance of HSIs, here are five key facts every recruiter should know:

HSIs have been around since the 1980s.

In the 1980s, educators and policymakers had recognized HSIs as institutions that enroll a large concentration of Hispanic and Latinx students and began using the term to define these schools as the student population increased. But it wasn’t until 1992 that Congress formally recognized HSIs.  

66% of all Hispanic and Latino college students attend HSIs. 

In 2022-2023, HSIs enrolled around two-thirds of all Hispanic and Latinx undergraduates, or students with Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin. Enrollment numbers are so high because 83 percent of these institutions are located in six states and one territory including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, New Mexico and Puerto Rico, where Hispanic and Latinx populations are the highest in the country. 

There are approximately 600 HSIs in the U.S. and numbers are growing.

In the 2022-23 academic year, 600 institutions qualified as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), up from 572 the previous year. This growth of 28 schools, or 5%, reflects the steady rise in Hispanic student enrollment at colleges and universities nationwide.  HSIs have also grown by 344 since 1994, and have averaged an increase of 30 institutions per year since 2009. 

Hispanic and Latino students feel supported at HSIs.

HSIs are known for creating culturally inclusive environments that help Hispanic and Latino students thrive. Many students at HSIs are first-generation college students, non-English speakers, or juggling family and work responsibilities. These institutions offer programs tailored to these needs, such as:

• Cultural events with multilingual support
• Heritage-related academic courses
• Specialized enrollment initiatives and mentorship programs
• Extracurricular activities led by diverse faculty and staff

This inclusive atmosphere fosters a sense of belonging, which contributes to higher engagement and success rates.

HSI programs have led to higher graduation rates in Hispanic and Latino community.

A comforting on-campus experience makes students want to stay. That’s a big reason why HSIs have higher graduation rates for Hispanic and Latino students. Here are the facts, according to Higher Education Today:

• Full-time students at public four-year HSIs complete within six years at a rate of 74.1 percent, compared to 42.7 percent using the federal graduation rate.
• Full-time students at private four-year HSIs had a six-year completion rate of 77.9 percent, compared to the federal rate of 49.1 percent.
• Full-time students at two-year public HSIs had a four-year completion rate of 40.3 percent, compared to the federal four-year completion rate of 25.5 percent.

HSIs are more than just schools with high Hispanic enrollment—they are hubs of academic achievement, cultural inclusivity, and community support. With their proven track record of promoting Hispanic and Latino student success through higher graduation rates, robust cultural programs, and strong campus engagement, HSIs represent a rich and dynamic talent pool for recruiters. By building relationships with these institutions or leveraging a tool like RippleMatch to connect with students on campus, recruiters can not only advance their diversity and inclusion goals but also tap into a pipeline of talented, driven, and resilient graduates who are ready to make an impact in the workforce.

Want to connect with students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions? With RippleMatch, you can target your recruitment efforts toward specific schools, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Learn more here!