Choosing the best college for you is the first and most important step towards earning a degree, especially for historically underrepresented communities seeking a welcoming space that provides support and a sense of belonging.
Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) play a major role in Latino/a college attendance and completion. Although HSIs make up 21% of U.S. colleges and universities, they graduate 67% of Latino/a undergraduates who earn a degree.
The following list highlights schools that pair strong outcomes with affordability and intentional support for Hispanic and Latino/a students.
BestColleges' Top Schools for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
Arizona State University — Best Online Offerings
California State University, Fullerton — Most Affordable
San Diego State University — Best Graduation and Retention Outcomes
University of Illinois Chicago — Best for Career and Leadership Development
The University of Texas at Arlington — Best for First-Generation Students
Top Colleges for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
How We Ranked the Best Colleges for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
We began with public and private nonprofit four-year institutions that met the 2024-25 federal definition of an HSI and had a current Seal of Excelencia certification. Excelencia's framework includes certified, recertified, and Intentionally Thriving institutions, all of which must demonstrate student-centered, data-informed improvement.
We then applied BestColleges' ranking methodology and considered geographic diversity rather than concentrating every selection in the regions with the largest number of HSIs (even though there are two schools from California). BestColleges also reviewed recent institutional policies and campus practices that may affect Latino/a, immigrant, and undocumented students and their families. This informed our final editorial selection from the eligible schools.
How to Choose the Right College for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
Think about your academic goals and how each school can help you reach them. Compare factors such as campus climate and community, available services, total cost, class delivery format, and student outcomes to get a sense of what each school can offer you.
Compare Community and Student Resources
The definition of an HSI includes enrolling a large share of Hispanic students, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the school invests in their success. Look for concrete offerings from the school. Bonus points if they're specifically designed for Hispanic students, such as:
Cultural centers
Mentoring
Academic advising
Student organizations
Family outreach
Mental health services
Career preparation
Programs that recognize different Latino/a identities and experiences
You can also ask current students whether services are visible, adequately staffed, and easy to use.
The Seal of Excelencia provides another positive signal because it reviews data, institutional practices, and leadership to determine how a school intentionally serves Latino/a students.
SDSU, CSUF, UIC, and UTA are recertified institutions — which means they've upheld the Seal standard to receive a second three-year term — while ASU is an Institutionally Thriving school, upholding the standards for more than six years.
Calculate Your Actual College Costs
The average net price for the five schools on our list is about $11,681 (ranging from $7,458 at CSUF to $14,244 at UTA), though your actual cost will depend on several factors, including:
Financial aid offers
Residency
Enrollment status
Living arrangements
Use each school's net price calculator to get an estimate of what you'll pay, but also consider costs for transportation, healthcare, dependent care, and personal expenses. If you plan to borrow, include loan fees and interest when estimating the degree's long-term cost.
Undocumented students and DACA recipients should confirm current tuition and aid rules with each college because of changes in some states. In Texas, for example, recent court orders and rulings ended the Texas Dream Act, which allowed some undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition.
Consider Location and Learning Format
According to Excelencia in Education's 2025 analysis, Latino students often reduce costs by:
Attending public colleges near home
Living with family or off campus
Working 30 or more hours a week
Enrolling part time
All the schools on our list offer online undergraduate degrees or certificates, with ASU offering over 400. A nearby campus or a flexible program may help you earn your degree while working and staying connected to family and community. Still, consider commute times, transportation costs, and additional responsibilities when choosing your campus.
If you choose an online or hybrid program, confirm that student services such as advising, tutoring, counseling, career placement, cultural programming, and undocumented student support are available remotely. For example, SDSU explicitly states that students in its Global Campus online program have full access to cultural centers such as the Latinx Resource Center and the Monarch Unity Resource Center.
Also check for scheduled live classes, campus visits, and internship or clinical requirements that require you to attend in person.
Review Outcomes for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
Graduation and retention rates can help you assess whether Latino/a students tend to remain enrolled and earn their degrees. Look beyond the campuswide average for data broken down by race and ethnicity, compare Latino/a outcomes with overall results across several cohorts, and note whether any gaps are small or narrowing.
SDSU's HSI annual report, for example, publishes Latino/a graduation and one-year continuation rates alongside overall outcomes.UIC's graduation and retention reports include race- and ethnicity-specific outcomes for both first-year and transfer cohorts.
Looking beyond overall rates and focusing on each school's detailed data can provide a clearer snapshot of a school's commitment to Hispanic or Latino/a students. You should also review transfer pathways, internship participation, graduate school and career placement.
Scholarships and Resources for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
Scholarships, internships, mentoring, and college-access programs can ease a student's college experience by reducing financial pressure and building useful networks. Check out our other guides and articles to learn more about these opportunities:
Additional national organizations and programs include:
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF): HSF's scholar program selects about 10,000 students each year to receive support that may include scholarships (ranging from $500 to $5,000), mentorship, career services for internships and full-time job opportunities, leadership development, and wellness training.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): HACU offers a variety of programs to connect eligible students with scholarships, private- and public-sector internships, conference sponsorships, and career-readiness opportunities.
TheDream.US: The organization offers scholarships for eligible undocumented students, including students with or without DACA or Temporary Protected Status.
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA): ALPFA provides ample resources and opportunities, including an 8-week fellowship, scholarship program, access to student chapters across the country, workshops, and job boards.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Colleges for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
A Hispanic-serving institution is an accredited, degree-granting public or private nonprofit college in which Hispanic students make up at least 25% of full-time equivalent undergraduate enrollment. The HSI designation is granted yearly by the U.S. Department of Education.
