10 Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Strong Liberal Arts Programs
Colleges that take pride in their diverse learning environment also take pride in molding creative thinkers and educational leaders who are passionate about creating social change. These schools value the versatility of a liberal arts degree and encourage their students to explore the endless possibilities of a degree in sociology, history, creative arts, language, and more. Many employers value the critical thinking skills instilled by a liberal arts education, and seek out these students for their entry-level positions. If you’re an employer who is looking to hire talented liberal arts students, be sure you’re widening your search to include a range of schools, like Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), or colleges with 25% or more Hispanic and Latinx students, produce thousands of talented liberal arts graduates each year. There are more than 500 HSIs in the country, which gives employers a variety of institutions to connect with. If you’re hoping to expand your list of target schools and connect with more candidates, check out our list of 10 HSIs with especially strong liberal arts programs.
American Academy of Art
Location: Chicago, IL
Size of undergraduate student body: 205
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 34.6%
School type: Private
The American Academy of Art in Chicago is a small school that values personal studio learning. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program is one of the most popular degrees offering a range of art classes. Students can take classes in illustration, graphic design, photography, 3-D modeling and animation, and more.
Brandman University
Location: Irvine, CA
Size of undergraduate student body: 2,428
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 53.1%
School type: Private
More than half of Brandman University’s student population is Hispanic/Latinx and the administrative staff openly advocates for enrolling in a liberal studies program. One of the most compelling programs is the Teaching Pre-Credential, which allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree and prepare for entry into post-baccalaureate, multiple-subject credential programs, or other California elementary school teaching credential programs. Subjects include language arts, natural sciences, mathematics, visual and performing arts, history, human development, physical education, and health.
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
Location: New York, NY
Size of undergraduate student body: 20,906
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 45.3%
School type: Public, 2-year
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College offers a range of Liberal Arts programs that are rare at other 2-year schools. Students have completed their associate’s in Modern Languages, Childhood Education, Ethnic Studies, Writing and Literature, and 15 other degree programs. CUNY Manhattan also offers the Alexander Morrisey Award, which is given to a student each year for excellence in journalism.
Kean University
Location: Union, NJ
Size of undergraduate student body: 10,503
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 30.4%
School type: Public
Kean University’s College of Liberal Arts has 10 programs that focus on creative learning, critical thinking, and research. The school is well-known for its theater program, and student musicians have performed in world-class concerts. Faculty also work closely with the school’s Career Services to help students secure internships and prepare for advanced studies in their graduate school programs.
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
Size of undergraduate student body: 31,096
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 26.3%
School type: Public
University of Arizona is ranked 97th in national universities and has a range of liberal arts majors, including Creative Writing, Philosophy, Gender and Women’s Studies, Global Studies, and more. The school’s College of Education has a great Bilingual and Biliterate Education program that is conducting research in bilingual education policy and law, sociocultural theory, immigration and education, and more.
University of California, Merced
Location: Merced, CA
Size of undergraduate student body: 7,840
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 54.4%
School type: Public
The University of California, Merced has one of the best history programs in the entire country. Two-thirds of the faculty were first-generation students and emphasize the importance of individualized mentoring and small upper-division classrooms. The list of history courses is diverse and extensive, featuring classes like The African Diaspora in Latin America, White Supremacy in the US, China in the Medieval World, and more.
University of Central Florida
Location: Orlando, FL
Size of undergraduate student body: 48,700
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 27.1%
School type: Public
The University of Central Florida is listed as the 16th most innovative school in the nation. The school has also gained national recognition for its liberal arts programs, including its unique Professional Jazz degree, and an Emmy-award-winning documentary produced by UCF honor students. And UCF’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is another program that works with students of all majors and helps them turn creative ideas into full-on business ventures.
University of Connecticut, Stamford
Location: Stamford, CT
Size of undergraduate student body: 1,812
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 29.0%
School type: Public
The University of Connecticut, Stamford is ranked 63rd in national universities and has a range of liberal arts programs, from Digital Design and Media, to Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. The school’s research department says they prioritize research that focuses on community impact, such as LGBTQ bullying, or the spread of COVID-19.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Size of undergraduate student body: 21,394
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 29.9%
School type: Public
University of Nevada, Las Vegas has 30 different degrees, including Anthropology, American Indian and Indigenous Studies, Political Science, World Languages and Culture, and more. The school also has a unique Center for Migration, Demography, and Population Studies program, which leads research initiatives to learn more about demographic changes in the Mountain West Region – with a high Hispanic/Latinx population – and their societal impacts.
Whittier College
Location: Whitter, CA
Size of undergraduate student body: 1,712
Percentage of Hispanic/Latinx students enrolled: 50.9%
School type: Private
Whittier College is ranked 102nd in national liberal arts schools with more than 30 majors, including Art & Visual Studies, Child Development, Religious Studies, Theater, and more. Students are also required to take a course in one of the seven areas as part of its “Cultural Perspectives” curriculum: African, Asian, Latin American, North American, European, Cross-Cultural, and Foreign Languages.
Each school on this list has a strong Liberal Arts program that values creativity and curriculum that promotes social mobility. And not only are these schools making a positive impact on their campus community, but they’re also creating an inclusive space for Hispanic and Latinx students to embrace their background and incorporate it into their work.
Want more tips for recruiting at Hispanic-Serving Institutions? Download our guide here.
