Hispanics: college enrollment up 287% between 2000 and 2020

Hispanic community enrollment in four-year college degrees grew 287% between 2000 and 2020. This is a historical record, since these figures have never been reached before, and is related to the increase in the number of Hispanics living in the country during this same period of time.

According to a Pew Research Center study, there were 2,400,000 total enrollments at four-year colleges and universities in 2020, up from 620,000 in 2000.

In addition to these 2,400,000 Hispanic students, there are 1,300,000 who enrolled in two-year degrees, for a total of 3,700,000 Hispanics who chose to continue their education beyond high school.

The white community predominates over the rest in terms of the number of people enrolled in university institutions. In 1980, whites accounted for 84% of the total, while Hispanics accounted for 4% (the third largest community in terms of enrollment). Four decades later, the gap between the two communities has narrowed: 54% white to 20% Hispanic (now the second largest community).

In 2021, of the total Hispanic community aged 18-24, three in ten (32%) were enrolled in postsecondary education. More women than men in this age group chose to pursue two- or four-year degrees: 35% of women to 28% of men.

Bachelor's degrees are also growing. Last year, nearly a quarter of Hispanics aged 25-29 (23%) graduated from college or university, up from 14% in 2010.

High cost of tuition makes it difficult for Hispanics

A majority of Americans do not have a postsecondary degree (62%). Seventy-nine percent of Hispanics do not have a high school diploma, or eight out of ten.

High costs are the second reason why Hispanics did not opt to pursue these studies or failed to complete them, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey. Specifically, seven in ten (69%) felt they could not afford the high college fees, just behind the 71% who needed to go to work to help their families. Hispanic students take on the least amount of school debt.

Another factor that influenced Hispanics not to pursue a two- or four-year degree was personal reasons (47%). Also, four in ten Hispanics (42%) believed they would not be able to get into college and 37% felt they did not need a postsecondary degree for the job they wanted to do.