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FEATURES - top colleges
the TOP 25 Colleges for hispanics
By Elsie Morales
Every year, Hispanic researches the nation’s
prestigious colleges and universities to select the best institutions
for Hispanic students. Some of these schools have been recognized
before, due to their commitment to academic quality, campus diversity,
on-campus cultural programming and resources, as well as Hispanic/Latino
student organizations. Our research this year also took into account
recent studies by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pew Hispanic Center
that identified finances as the most prevalent cause for the gap
between Hispanic students who value higher education and the number
that actually attend college.
In evaluating schools, we always look to Hispanic enrollment, graduation
rates, financial aid, student-to-faculty ratios, national rankings,
options for Latino studies and campus diversity initiatives. This
year, added criteria included the percentage of student financial
need met. In addition, only four-year graduation rates were considered
to address issues of attrition and the disparity between Hispanic
enrollment and graduation rates. Data was collected from respected
sources such as U.S. News & World Report rankings and Hispanic
Outlook in Higher Education, among others. 2009/10 tuition and fees
are listed, but information is subject to change so check with each
institution.
1. Princeton University
www.princeton.edu
Tuition & Fees: $35,340
Hispanic Enrollment: 8%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 5/1
Undergraduates: 4,981
This year, Princeton introduced its Bridge Year Program, offering
new undergraduate students the option to defer admission and spend
a year serving a local community in another country. Students have
the opportunity to study through the school’s Institute for
International and Regional Studies.
 2.
Harvard University
www.harvard.edu
Tuition & Fees: $37,012
Hispanic Enrollment: 7%
Student/Faculty R atio: 7/1
Undergraduates: 6,678
Leading the way in curriculum design, the school changed its required
core curriculum in order to expand opportunities for study abroad,
small first-year seminar classes and research with faculty members.
Minority groups represent nearly one-third of enrollment. Plus,
there’s the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies.
 3.
Yale University
www.yale.edu
Tuition & Fees: $36,500
Hispanic Enrollment: 9%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 6/1
Undergraduates: 5,277
Yale meets 100 percent of students’ demonstrated financial
need. In addition, students have the benefit of campus cultural
houses. Students who wish to explore connections to Latino cultures
are provided with an additional layer of support services, community
and advising. Yale also offers a major in Latin American Studies,
housing the Latin American Collection.
 4.
Williams College
www.williams.edu
Tuition & Fees: $39,490
Hispanic Enrollment: 9%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 7/1
Undergraduates: 1,997
This small college is a hotbed of activities thanks to such student
organizations as the Multicultural Center, ALANA (African, Latino/a,
Asian, Native American group), the minority Coalition, and Students
of Caribbean Heritage, among others.
 5.
Amherst College
www.amherst.edu
Tuition & Fees: $38,928
Hispanic Enrollment: 9%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 8/1
Undergraduates: 1,697
Diversity is key at this school, regarded one of the nation’s
premier liberal arts colleges. Students may explore a program of
study based on their individual interests without the requirements
of a core curriculum. And the school boasts a Latino Alumni weekend.
 6.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
www.mit.edu
Tuition & Fees: $37,782
Hispanic Enrollment: 12%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 7/1
Undergraduates: 4,153
Last year, MIT hosted the Diversity Leadership Conference, which
served as a springboard for advancing diversity and inclusion. The
school’s Diversity Task Force is charged with hosting an educational
series of panel discussions that highlight successful strategies
for supporting underrepresented students. With minority enrollment
on the rise, MIT is meeting its mission of diversifying its student
body. The school’s extensive scholarships and generous financial
aid program add to its appeal.
 7.
Stanford University
www.stanford.edu
Tuition & Fees: $37,881
Hispanic Enrollment: 12%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 6/1
Undergraduates: 6,532
The curriculum requirements include courses in foreign cultures
and languages, and more than a quarter of students study abroad.
Last year, Stanford eliminated the need for student loans and guaranteed
tuition coverage for students whose parents earn less than $100,000
in one of the largest student aid programs in the nation. More than
20 organizations are available to Latino/Hispanic students, in addition
to a program in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity.
 8.
Swarthmore College
www.swarthmore.edu
Tuition & Fees: $37,860
Hispanic Enrollment: 11%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 8/1
Undergraduates: 1,490
This small institution has demonstrated a big commitment to fostering
multicultural understanding, hosting student-led “Diversity
Conversations” in which small groups meet for a four-week
period to discuss issues of identity. Campus organizations include
a Latin American Studies Association, Students of Caribbean Ancestry
and more.
 9.
Columbia UNIVERSITY
www.columbia.edu
Tuition & Fees: $41,316
Hispanic Enrollment: 9%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 6/1
Undergraduates: 7,495
In addition to Portuguese and Spanish, students can major in Comparative
Ethnic Studies and Latino Studies. Plus, a wealth of student organizations
all contribute to campus life and a celebration of Latino Heritage
Month.
 10.
University of Chicago
www.uchicago.edu
Tuition & Fees: $39,381
Hispanic Enrollment: 9%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 6/1
Undergraduates: 5,022
The university’s libraries have extensive collections on Latin
America, with notable focus on the colonial era, a nearly exhaustive
collection on Mexico, and strong documentary collections on U.S.
foreign relations with Central America.
 11.
Northwestern University
www.northwestern.edu
Tuition & Fees: $38,461
Hispanic Enrollment: 7%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 7/1
Undergraduates: 8,476
Northwestern has a Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program
composed of more than 20 scholars closely connected with many departments
at Northwestern, such as Spanish and Portuguese, History, Anthropology,
English and Political Science. The school also has a separate Department
of Latino/Hispanic Student Affairs.
 12.
Pomona College
www.pomona.edu
Tuition & Fees/Room
& Board: $37,017
Hispanic Enrollment: 11%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 8/1
Undergraduates: 1,532
Pomona is part of a consortium that is home to the second oldest
Chicano/a Studies program in the U.S. It also has a Chicano/Latino
Student Affairs division committed to the retention of Hispanic
students. Organizations include Chiapas Support Committee, Empowered
Latinas in Action, and the Latina/o Student Union.
 13.
Brown University
www.brown.edu
Tuition & Fees: $37,718
Hispanic Enrollment: 9%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 8/1
Undergraduates: 6,095
Brown’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies offers
a flexible, multidisciplinary undergraduate concentration that promotes
an understanding of the culture, history, and contemporary problems
of Latin America. Other majors include Ethnic Studies, Hispanic
Language and Linguistics, Hispanic Literature and Culture, Latin
American Studies.
 14.
Johns Hopkins University
www.jhu.edu
Tuition & Fees: $39,150
Hispanic Enrollment: 7%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 11/1
Undergraduates: 5,680
A top school, Johns Hopkins offers an interdisciplinary program
in Latin American Studies. It also has a number of Latino-oriented
student organizations, including the Caribbean Cultural Society
and Organizacion Latina Estudiantil. The Office of Multicultural
Affairs provides underrepresented populations with support services,
including mentoring programs.
 15.
University of California—Berkeley
www.berkeley.edu
Tuition & Fees: In-state—$8,352, Out-of-state—$30,022
Hispanic Enrollment: 12%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 15/1
Undergraduates: 25,151
UC-Berkeley tries to create a welcoming atmosphere for Hispanic
students through a wealth of Latino student groups. Majors include
Chicano Studies, Latin American Studies and Ethic Studies. Plus,
the library system’s Latin American materials comprise among
the richest retrospective, contemporary and documentary collections.
 16.
Georgetown University
www.georgetown.edu
Tuition & Fees: $39,212
Hispanic Enrollment: 7%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 11/1
Undergraduates: 7,092
It would be tough to match the faculty at Georgetown’s Center
for Latin American Studies, which includes a former secretary of
state, ambassadors to the UN, economists at the World Bank and White
House advisors. The program also has connections to groups such
as the Organization of American States, Inter-American Development
Bank, and others. Outside academics, there’s the Latin American
Student Association, Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Georgetown,
Ritmo y Sabor and more.
 17.
Rice University
www.rice.edu
Tuition & Fees: $31,248
Hispanic Enrollment: 12%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 5/1
Undergraduates: 3,154
A competitive Texas institution, Rice shines in the area of academics.
In the extracurricular area, the Hispanic Association for Cultural
Enrichment is the most visible organization for Hispanics on campus.
 18.
University of California—Los Angeles
www.ucla.edu
Tuition & Fees: In-state—$8,228; Out-of-state—$29,897
Hispanic Enrollment: 15%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 16/1
Undergraduates: 25,536
As majors, UCLA offers Chicano and Chicana Studies, Latin American
Studies, Spanish and Community and Culture, Spanish and Linguistics,
Spanish and Portuguese. Resources include the UCLA Library Latin
American Collection and The UCLA Latin American Institute, which
equips scholars with the skills required for understanding complex
Latin American societies.
 19.
University of Southern California
www.usc.edu
Tuition & Fees: $39,124
Hispanic Enrollment: 12%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 9/1
Undergraduates: 16,608
Student groups include Centro Chicano, Annenberg Latino Student
Association, Chicanos/Latinos for Health Education, USC Volunteer
Latin America. Plus, The USC libraries are home to the Boeckmann
Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies.
 20.
New York University
www.nyu.edu
Tuition & Fees: $38,765
Hispanic Enrollment: 8%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 12/1
Undergraduates: 21,269
NYU is also home to Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies,
an interdisciplinary teaching, research, and public information
program. The Center and its consortium partner, the Institute for
Latin American Studies at Columbia, formed the New York City Consortium
for Latin American Studies. Voices of Latin American Leaders brings
prominent speakers to campus.
 21.
University of California—San Diego
www.ucsd.edu
Tuition & Fees: In-state: $8,798, Out-of-state: $30,819
Hispanic Enrollment: 12%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 19/1
Undergraduates: 22,518
For nearly 20 years, this school has achieved consistent recognition
and support from U.S. Department of Education as one of the leading
centers for study of Latin America. Programs include the Center
for Iberian and Latin American Studies, Center for U.S. Mexican
Studies, and Center for Comparative Immigration Studies and the
Institute of the Americas. There are more than 80 full-time Latin
America faculty specialists.
 22.
University of California—Irvine
www.uci.edu
Tuition & Fees: In-state: $8,775, Out-of-state: $28,796
Hispanic Enrollment: 13%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 19/1
Undergraduates: 22,122
Majors include Global Culture (with emphasis in Hispanic, U.S. Latino/Latina
and Luso-Brazilian Culture), Spanish (with emphases in Literature
and Culture, Cinema, Spain, Latin America, and U.S. Latino, and
Spanish for Future Teachers), and Chicano/Latino Studies.
 23.
University of Florida
www.ufl.edu
Tuition & Fees: In-state: $4,373, Out-of-state: $23,744
Hispanic Enrollment: 15%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 20/1
Undergraduates: 34,654
UF is the hub for more than 40 active Hispanic/Latino student organizations.
It is also home to the Center of Latin American Studies, whose mission
is to advance knowledge of Latin America and the Caribbean and enhance
the scope and quality of research, teaching, and outreach. The campus
also created The Institute of Hispanic-Latino Cultures, La Casita,
enriching the understanding and participation in Hispanic/Latino
cultures.
 24.
University of Texas—Austin
www.utexas.edu
Tuition & Fees: In-state: $8,930, Out-of-state: $30,600
Hispanic Enrollment: 18%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 17/1
Undergraduates: 4,981
With extensive Latin American programming and resources, this campus
is renowned for
Hispanic/Latino education. That includes the Teresa Lozano Long
Institute of Latin American Studies, a multidisciplinary institute
integrating more than 30 academic departments in the College of
Liberal Arts.
25. University of Illinois
at Urbana Champaign
www.illinois.edu
Tuition & Fees: In-State: 13060, Out-of-state: 26714
Hispanic Enrollment: 7%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 17/1
Undergraduates: 31,417
The Center for Latin America and the Caribbean brings together faculty
and students who have an interest in the region. The center organizes
numerous activities including speakers and visiting scholars from
Latin America and the Caribbean, cultural and educational activities,
travel and field research. The university library, the third largest
university collection in the U.S., houses one of the most extensive
collections on Latin America. Majors include Latin American and
Caribbean Studies, Latina/Latino Studies Program, and Spanish.
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