Hispanic students account for vast majority of growth in degree completion

Hispanic students accounted for the vast majority of the growth in the number of people earning college degrees in the U.S., according to a new report from Excelencia in Education. 

The report, released Tuesday, found a 4 percent increase in degree attainment in the past five years — with Hispanic students accounting for 79 percent of the change.

Still, Hispanic students are more likely to face difficulties in areas such as retention rates and earning associate degrees, the report found.

The retention rate for Latino students who enrolled in the fall of 2021 sits at 63 percent across all sectors, lower than the national average of 67 percent.  

From the academic year 2021-2022, only 27 percent of Hispanic students received an associate degree, lower than the 44 percent of other student groups who got the same degree. 

Latino students are the most likely to be first-generation college students, according to the report. They are more likely to qualify for Pell Grants that do not need to be paid back, and less likely to take out student loans.  

“We are proud to make common cause with institutional leaders who choose to be part of our national network committed to accelerating Latino student success in higher education,” Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education, said in a statement, according to NBC News. “Together, they are ensuring America’s bright future with the talents of Latinos.” 

The study also noted that Hispanic-Servicing Institutions, or schools with a student population that is at least 25 percent Hispanic, make up 20 percent of the higher education options while serving 63 percent of Hispanic undergraduates.