Latina Women Outpace Men at HSIs

Latinas are enrolling in and graduating from Hispanic-serving institutions at higher rates than Latinos, according to a new analysis from Excelencia in Education, an organization focused on Latina and Latino student success.

The analysis, released Thursday, found that almost half, 48 percent, of the women attending Hispanic-serving institutions in fall 2020 were Latinas. Latinas also made up almost two-thirds of the Hispanic student population at these colleges and universities.

Latina women attending Hispanic-serving institutions also earned more than 300,000 degrees in 2020, almost 120,000 more than their Latino peers, according to the analysis. Degree attainment among Latina students at these institutions rose 52 percent from 2015 to 2020, compared to an increase of 44 percent among Latino men over the same time period. However, most Latinas age 25 and older still lack a college degree. Of Latina adults in 2021, 53 percent have a high school education or less, while 29 percent held an associate degree or higher.