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Top 25 Colleges for hispanics
Every year, the same question arises: How
do you single out the best institutions for Hispanic students? To
attract such a diverse minority group, the colleges must reflect
an equally diverse mix of attributes including academic standards,
graduation rates, selectivity and student-to-faculty ratio, in addition
to campus diversity, the availability of cultural programs and resources,
and Latino student organizations on campus.
By Elsie Morales
In examining the nation’s most prestigious
colleges and universities, our goal was to highlight the schools
that are not merely a sum of their parts, but rather institutions
that have something unique to offer traditionally underrepresented
students in addition to a world class education. Schools with under
7 percent Hispanic enrollment were not considered, and special consideration
was given to institutions implementing “no loan” financial
aid policies, making higher education more accessible.
This list is informed by U.S. News & World Report and Hispanic
Outlook in Higher Education’s Publisher’s Pick list,
among others. 2008/09 tuition and fees, as well as room and board,
are listed for each school, however this information is subject
to change. Schools tabulate cost of attendance, among other data,
differently, so be sure to check with each institution.
1
 Harvard
University
location: Brattle Street Cambridge, Massachusetts
617-495-1551 www.harvard.edu
Type of School: Private Setting: : Large City/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room & Board: $36,173/$11,042 hispanic enrollment:
7 percent
student/faculty ratio: 7/1 Publisher’s Pick: No undergraduates:
6,641
It is no secret that Harvard University attracts the brightest students,
the most accomplished faculty and the most generous donors. With
a little initiative, students can have unlimited contact with top
faculty and take advantage of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin
American Studies and smaller, selective interdisciplinary honors
majors. Student organizations and extracurricular groups are plentiful
and Harvard’s student body is diverse, with minority groups
accounting for nearly one third of enrollment.
2
 Princeton
University
Princeton, New Jersey
609-258-3060
www.princeton.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Large town/Suburban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $34,290/$11,405
hispanic enrollment:
8 percent
student/faculty ratio: 5/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 4,845Princeton is distinctive in its small scale
and commitment to its undergraduates with a strong liberal arts
program, unparalleled faculty contact, and opportunities for independent
study. While the student body is as diverse as every other Ivy,
the school is working hard to open its doors to exceptional low-income
students and break away from its image of upper class exclusivity.
In fact, Princeton was the first major university to replace student
loans with grants, admitting students without regard to financial
need.
3
 Yale
University
New Haven, Connecticut
203-432-9316
www.yale.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Small city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $35,300/$10,700
hispanic enrollment:
8 percent
student/faculty ratio: 6/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 5,289
Offering a deep commitment to undergraduates along
with a unique residential system, Yale offers the extensive resources
of a large research university with a laid-back atmosphere. You
will not find a rigid core curriculum here. Yale’s arts and
humanities programs are outstanding, attracting the most liberal
and independent-thinking students in the Ivy League. Students can
live in one of the “cultural houses” on campus, and
browse through the Latin American Collection of editorial production
over the last 100 years.
4
 Amherst
College
Amherst, Massachusetts
413-542-2328
www.amherst.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Rural
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $47,430 (comprehensive)
hispanic enrollment:
9 percent
student/faculty ratio: 8/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 1,685
The highest-ranked liberal arts college in the country,
Amherst sits tall not only because of its dynamic interdisciplinary
curriculum, but its association with the Five College Consortium
that allows students to take courses at four other institutions,
adding depth and diversity to the school’s academic offerings.
Also adding to its appeal is the freedom given to students to choose
a program based on their individual interests without the weight
of a core curriculum or distribution requirements.
5
 Williams
College
Court Williamstown, Massachusetts 413-597-2211
www.williams.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Rural
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $47,530
hispanic enrollment:
9 percent
student/faculty ratio: 7/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 1,997Williams College ranks high in selectivity
and prestige, offering a curriculum focused in autodidactic learning
and interdisciplinary studies, paired with the picturesque backdrop
of Williamstown. Art history is one of the college’s greatest
strengths, especially with the Williams College Museum of Art, the
Clark Institute, and MASS MoCA only steps away. Regular activities
at the Multicultural Center include forums, panels, lectures and
receptions, developed in cooperation with students.
6
 Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT)
location:: Cambridge, Massachusetts
617-253-3400 www.mit.edu
Type of School: Private Setting: Large city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room & Board: $36,390/$10,860 hispanic enrollment:
12 percent
student/faculty ratio: 6/1 Publisher’s Pick: No undergraduates:
4,119
Engineering, math and science are MIT’s specialties, but those
looking for a solid education in other fields such as political
science, management, urban studies or linguistics will also find
top-notch professors and personal attention. The Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Program, considered one of the best in the country,
allows students to earn credit or stipends for doing research. Racial
diversity is certainly not an issue at MIT, though men account for
nearly three-fifths of the student body.
7
 Swarthmore
College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
610-328-8300
www.swarthmore.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Suburban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $36,154/$11,314
hispanic enrollment:
10 percent
student/faculty ratio: 8/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 1,491Swarthmore’s campus is one of the most
intellectual undergraduate environments, with an honors program
comparable in intensity to graduate level programs. Given the school’s
Quaker roots, it is no surprise that Swarthmore is home to the Eugene
Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, making this the
institution for students with a desire to do good. Students are
busy with such groups as the Latin American Studies Association,
Enlace and Students of Caribbean Ancestry, to name a few.
8
 Stanford
University
Stanford, California
650-723-2091
www.stanford.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Small city/Suburban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $36,030/$11,182
hispanic enrollment:
12 percent
student/faculty ratio: 6/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 6,523
With minority enrollment well above average, required
courses in global community and cultures and a study abroad program
that over a quarter of students partake in, students seeking a diverse
college experience need look no further. Stanford boasts 20 organizations
for Latino/Hispanic students and a unique program in Comparative
Studies in Race and Ethnicity. Students at Stanford receive the
same high caliber Ivy League education, athletic traditions and
professional preparation as their Northeastern counterparts.
9
 Pomona
College
Claremont, California
909-621-8134
www.pomona.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Suburban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $35,625/$12,220
hispanic enrollment:
11 percent
student/faculty ratio: 8/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 1,547
The leader of the Claremont College Consortium, Pomona
can be easily considered the top liberal arts college in the West.
Its media studies program receiving top recognition. The college
also prides itself on its diverse community. In fact, Chicano/Latino
Student Affairs has had a strong commitment to the retention and
graduation of Chicano/Latino students since its founding in 1969.
Student organizations include Café con Leche, Chiapas Support
Committee, Empowered Latinas in Action and more.
10
 Columbia
College
New York, New York
212-854-2522
www.columbia.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Very large city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $39,326/$9,980
hispanic enrollment:
9 percent
student/faculty ratio: 6/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 6,450Columbia offers students top-notch academics
and the resources of being in one of the most cosmopolitan cities
in the world. The renowned two-year core curriculum still prevails,
as well as a strong focus in the liberal arts as opposed to pre-professional
studies. As undergraduates, students have access to the School of
International and Public Affairs and its host of regional institutes.
Columbia also claims the largest percentage of students of color
in the Ivy League.
11
 University
of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
773-702-8650 www.uchicago.com
Type of School: Private Setting: Very large city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room & Board: $37,632/$11,697 hispanic enrollment:
8 percent
student/faculty ratio: 6/1 Publisher’s Pick: No undergraduates:
4,926
Known for fostering an intellectual environment where students are
committed to a liberal arts curriculum that is heavily theory based,
the University of Chicago offers extremely rigorous coursework,
a renowned economics department and a community of students with
a deep interest in learning. Diversity initiatives (social and academic)
are extensive and students can take part in the International House,
student organizations and extensive library collections focused
on Latin America, particularly the colonial era.
12
 Northwestern
University
Evanston, Illinois
847-491-7271
www.northwestern.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Small city/Suburban Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $37,125/$11,295
hispanic enrollment:
7 percent
student/faculty ratio: 7/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 8,284Undergraduates at Northwestern are spread out
among the liberal arts and five professional schools, making this
institution much more preprofessional than the nearby University
of Chicago. Offering top programs in integrated science and medical
education, along with a world renowned journalism program and the
only theatre school at an elite university, Northwestern also boasts
a spirited atmosphere and fun learning environment, placing it in
a unique niche in higher education.
13
 Johns
Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
410-516-8171
www.jhu.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Large city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $37,700/$11,578
hispanic enrollment:
7 percent
student/faculty ratio: 11/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 5,705Johns Hopkins is famous for its top-notch premed
program, but also has excellent programs in international studies
and the liberal arts. Without university-wide requirements, there
is more flexibility for exploration in different fields, and almost
every student is involved in some kind of research. Students can
also take part in the program in Latin American Studies or in LADARK,
the Latin American Development Archive, which contains data sets
useful to social scientists researching Latin American development.
14
 Brown
University
Providence, Rhode Island
401-863-2378
www.brown.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Small city
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $37,718/$10,022
hispanic enrollment:
8 percent
student/faculty ratio: 8/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 6,008
This Ivy, best known for shunning required coursework
and structuring thinking, is the perfect place for students who
want to craft their own education and surround themselves with top
quality professors and a proactive and diverse student body. The
Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), now in
its 25th year, offers a flexible, multidisciplinary undergraduate
concentration that promotes an understanding of the culture, history,
and contemporary problems of Latin America.
15
 Rice
University
Houston, Texas
713-348-7423
www.rice.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Very large city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $30,830/$10,750
hispanic enrollment:
12 percent
student/faculty ratio: 5/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 3,051Featuring a residential college system and
a financial aid policy that makes it the only rated “best
buy” in this list, Rice students enjoy a spirited student
body, excellent graduate success rate and superb liberal arts and
sciences programs. The Hispanic Association for Cultural Enrichment
at Rice (HACER) is a visible organization for Hispanics on campus,
and because Rice is small and forbids fraternities and sororities,
social factions are virtually nonexistent, providing students with
a strong sense of community.
16
 University
of Notre Dame
location:: Notre Dame, Indiana
574-631-7505 www.nd.edu
Type of School: Private Setting: Small city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room & Board: $36,850/$9,830 hispanic enrollment:
9 percent
student/faculty ratio: 12/1 Publisher’s Pick: No undergraduates:
8,371
With an 82 percent Catholic enrollment, Notre Dame offers students
a dedicated academic first year foundation program in a bastion
of traditional values. While cultural and racial diversity has traditionally
been a challenge, minority enrollment is growing, and student organizations
such as La Alianza reflect gradual changes in the student body.
The institution is also the home to Institute for Latino Studies
and the Center for the Study of Latino Religion.
17
 University
of California Berkeley
Berkeley, California
510-642-3175
www.berkeley.edu
Type of School: Public
Setting: Small city/Urban
Tuition & fees: In-state $8,932, Out of state $29,540
Room & Board: $14,494
hispanic enrollment:
12 percent
student/faculty ratio: 15/1
Publisher’s Pick: Yes
undergraduates: 24,636Berkeley offers a smorgasbord of special programs,
including the highly regarded Coalition for Excellence and Diversity
in Mathematics, Science and Engineering and numerous other initiatives
to promote diversity. With more than 23,000 undergraduates, academic
competition is fierce and students must be proactive in this “sink
or swim” environment. But for those up to the challenge, Berkeley
offers an exciting environment, academic rigor and expansive resources.
18
 Georgetown
University
Washington, D.C.
202-687-3600
www.georgetown.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Very large city/Urban
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $38,122/$11,892
hispanic enrollment:
7 percent
student/faculty ratio: 11/1
Publisher’s Pick: No
undergraduates: 7,038Situated at the center of the political world,
it is only expected that Georgetown would have unsurpassed strengths
in international relations, foreign service and public policy. With
an intercultural and multidisciplinary curriculum, this Roman Catholic
university founded in 1789 draws a diverse student body from around
the world who want to take advantage of the excitement and internship
opportunities available in Washington, D.C. The school is also home
to the Center for Latin American Studies.
19
 University
of California los angeles
Los Angeles, California
310-825-3101
www.ucla.edu
Type of School: Public
Setting: Very large city
Tuition & fees:
In-state $7,034
Out of state $26,102
Room & Board: $12,891
hispanic enrollment:
15 percent
student/faculty ratio: 16/1
Publisher’s Pick: Yes
undergraduates: 25,928Of all the California public schools, UCLA
is best known for stellar programs in music, film and television
journalism, communications, dance and drama. With its location in
Beverly Hills and chic hangouts, the school is uniquely situated
for students to reap the full benefits of these programs. With all
of the attractions of L.A. nearby, UCLA is attractive to students
seeking not only a superior education but a dynamic on and off campus
experience.
20
 University
of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
213-740-1111
www.usc.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Very large city
Tuition & fees/Room
& Board: $37,740/$11,298
hispanic enrollment:
13 percent
student/faculty ratio: 9/1
Publisher’s Pick: Yes
undergraduates: 16,384A surge of applications in recent years has
helped make USC known for its programs in arts and media. Once seen
as an institution of privilege, an evolving USC affords students
a solid alumni network in the area’s only major private university.
L.A. is not your typical college town, but students can reap the
benefits of a wide variety of cultures while taking advantage of
academic programs such as the Thematic Option—smaller courses
with some of the university’s best teachers in place of the
standard core curriculum.
21
 New
York University
Location:: New York, New York
212-998-4500 www.nyu.edu
Type of School: Private Setting: Very large city
Tuition & fees/Room & Board: $37,372/$12,810 hispanic enrollment:
8 percent
student/faculty ratio: 12/1 Publisher’s Pick: Yes undergraduates:
21,327
Situated in the heart of Greenwich Village, NYU enjoys a growing
student body, new facilities, a multitude of opportunities for internships
and research projects and strong academic programs—especially
in the arts, media and business. The Gallatin School of Individualized
Study offers the flexibility and freedom to develop your own program.
NYU is also home to The Center for Latin American and Caribbean
Studies, a Title VI National Resource Center with more than 50 faculty
and visiting professors.
22
 University
of California san diego
La Jolla, California
858-534-4831
www.ucsd.edu
Type of School: Public
Setting: Large town
Tuition & fees:
In state: $8,911
Out of state: $28,932
Room & Board: $10,787
hispanic enrollment:
12 percent
student/faculty ratio: 19/1
Publisher’s Pick: Yes
undergraduates: 22,048With strong programs in science and engineering,
UCSD has climbed the ranks in the past 10 years and now competes
with Berkeley and UCLA for talented students. With six undergraduate
schools, students enjoy more intimate educational settings. UCSD
has also enjoyed consistent recognition and support over the last
20 years from the U.S. Department of Education as one of the nation’s
leading centers for the study of Latin America.
23
 University
of California irvine
Irvine, California
949-824-6703
www.uci.edu
Type of School: Private
Setting: Small city/Suburban
Tuition & fees:
In state: $7,556
Out of state: $27,176
Room & Board: $10,527
hispanic enrollment:
12 percent
student/faculty ratio: 19/1
Publisher’s Pick: Yes
undergraduates: 21,696Irvine is perhaps the most conservative of
all the California public universities. Premed studies and the sciences
reign here, and students are lured by notable professors, innovative
programs and the chance to take part in cutting-edge research. Language
study is particularly strong as well, and while campus life is not
as fast-paced as Irvine’s counterparts, students need only
step off campus to find beautiful beaches, visit L.A. or hit the
ski slopes.
24
 University
of Texas
Austin, Texas
512-475-7399
www.utexas.edu
Type of School: Public
Setting: Urban
Tuition & fees:
In state: $8,130
Out of state: $25,722
Room & Board: $7,585
hispanic enrollment:
18 percent
student/faculty ratio: 18/1
Publisher’s Pick: Yes
undergraduates: 37,459Not only does Austin rank as one of the nation’s
best college towns, but students at UT-Austin can take part in the
university’s Plan II liberal arts honors program, world renowned
for its flexible curriculum, excellent professors, and small seminar
courses in an intimate college atmosphere. Given its immense size,
the school’s list of academic strengths is impressive, all
the while providing plenty of opportunities for success in a truly
diverse community.
25
 University
of florida
Gainesville, Florida
352-392-1365
www.ufl.edu
Type of School: Public
Setting: Suburban
Tuition & fees: In state: $3,790, Out of state: $21,400
Room & Board: $7,150
hispanic enrollment:
14 percent
student/faculty ratio: 22/1
Publisher’s Pick: Yes
undergraduates: 35,189Most know the University of Florida as an
athletic powerhouse. Add to the mix its academically renowned programs
in Latin American Studies, communications and engineering and it’s
easy to see why this is considered the state’s flagship public
university. The Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, or “La
Casita,” is the first of its kind in the southeastern U.S.
and serves as a central station for over 40 active Hispanic/Latino
student organizations.
Honorable Mentions
The following is a list of additional schools with the right stuff:
high Hispanic populations, excellent academics, varied cultural
organizations and more.
University of Miami
Miami, FL
www.miami.edu
Barnard College
New York, NY
www.barnard.edu
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, CA
www.claremontmckenna.edu
Rutgers, New Brunswick
Piscataway, NJ
www.rutgers.edu
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
www.tamu.edu
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME
www.bowdoin.edu
Guide to the Best
 Hispanic
also publishes a book chock full of education, scholarship and financing
tips and advice for adjusting to college. To request a free copy
call 305-774-3549 or for a digital copy, visit
www.hispaniconline.com
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