By BVS Staff
In this ranking, we highlight the 10 best value private Hispanic-serving colleges and universities in California. Our initial pool consisted of the 104 Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education in the state of California as identified by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). We then consulted PayScale.com to filter out the schools with a 20-year ROI of less than $100,000. With 20 schools remaining, we then chose the 10 private schools with the highest ROIs to include in this ranking. To rate them, we applied the methodology below. In cases in which two or more schools received the same number of points, the more affordable school was awarded the higher ranking.
Net Price
Under $15,000—4 points
Under $20,000—3 points
Under $25,000—2 points
Under $30,000—1 point
20-Year Return on ROI
Above $400,000— 4 points
Above $300,000— 3 points
Above $200,000— 2 points
Above $100,000— 1 point
Hispanic Student Organizations- 1 point per organization
Hispanic Scholarship Opportunities- 1 point
Awards and Recognition (Regarding Hispanic Higher Education)- 1 point
Additional Hispanic Student Resources (Alumni Associations, Student Advisement Councils, etc.)- 1 point per resource
Hispanic Centers and Institutes- 1 point per center or institute
Hispanic-Focused Degree Program – 1 point per program
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About Hispanic-Serving Colleges and Universities
Colleges and universities that serve the Hispanic population in the United States receive federal funding from the US Department of Education through the White House's Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. There are certain criteria that must be met in order for schools to qualify for this funding, though. Institutes of higher education that meet the criteria receive formal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, or HIS for short. One such criterion involves the school's Hispanic population. In order to qualify as an HIS, at least 25% of the college or university's full-time student body must be of Hispanic descent. A certain percentage of these students must also be from low-income families. Furthermore, the school must offer either two-year associates degree programs or four-year bachelor's degree programs. Finally, the school must apply for formal HIS designation through the Department of Education. Once this application is approved, schools can use the federal funding for a variety of educational services including curriculum development and enhancement, academic tutoring, building remodels, student support services, and more.
There were 472 colleges and universities in the United States that met the criteria for federal HIS status, and the number is growing. These Hispanic-serving institutions enroll almost 2 million students. The Pew Research Center has reported that Hispanic student college enrollment is now exceeding the enrollment of both black and white high school graduates.
About the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
The educational association in the United States that represents Hispanic-serving institutions is called the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Current enrollment in the HACU exceeds 470 colleges and universities. These schools are located in the US as well as in Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain. The HACU members in the US account for more than two-thirds of the Hispanic college students in America. The purpose of the HACU is to support Hispanic students in their pursuit of higher education. The associates researches and analyzes educational policies that affect Hispanic college students, for instance. It also offers scholarships and career services, arranges internships, and more.
Best Value Hispanic Serving Colleges and Universities
This ranking of Hispanic-serving colleges and universities includes schools that offer unparalleled value to members of their Hispanic student body. These are institutions of higher education that are not only affordable, but also go the extra mile to provide the support and resources that Hispanic students need to be successful in their classes and in their future careers. Many offers special scholarships for Hispanic students, and are even home to degree programs related to Hispanic heritage. All of these schools host student organizations specifically for Hispanic students so that they can become active in student life on campus.
Hispanic-Serving Colleges and Universities: Background
Hispanic higher education in the United States hasn't always been what it is today. Prior to 1980, college wasn't an option for many Hispanics, and many of those who did pursue a degree didn't end up finishing school. Around this time, proponents of postsecondary education for Hispanics began appealing to lawmakers for more federal funding for colleges and universities whose student bodies reflected a higher percentage of Hispanics. As a result, Hispanic-serving institutions were granted federal status in 1992. In 1995, these schools were granted $12 million by Congress under the Higher Education Act. Federal funding for Hispanic institutions has increased exponentially. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been granted to HSIs for student services such as tutoring and counseling as well as for curriculum development and teaching and learning resources.
Hispanic-Serving Colleges and Universities: Financial Aid
All college students must consider their finances when it comes to choosing a school. For many Hispanic students who come from low-income families, though, the financial burden is even heavier. For these students, financial aid isn't just nice; it's a necessity. Luckily, there are specific types of grants and scholarships that are reserved just for Hispanic students. Some of these scholarships are listed below:
Hispanic Heritage Youth Award
FUNED Scholarship for Mexican Nationals
Hispanic Scholarship Council Scholarship
Victor Grifols Roura Scholarship
Some scholarships for Hispanic students are intended for students enrolling in certain schools or studying specific subjects. Others are more general. Moreover, there are scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students of Hispanic ethnicity.
In addition to school and subject-specific scholarships for Hispanic students, there are also specialized scholarships for different types of Hispanic students as well as those with special circumstances. These include scholarships for: Hispanic women, Hispanic graduate students, first-generation Hispanic students, and migrant workers and their families.
Why Attend a Hispanic-Serving College or University?
Many students find themselves wondering whether or not to attend a Hispanic-serving college or university. While it's absolutely a personal decision, there are many pros of attending an HSI. Most Latino students who choose to pursue a postsecondary education do opt to attend a Hispanic-serving institution, and for many, these schools feel more like home. When deciding whether an HSI is for you, consider whether you may find it comforting to study alongside other students with a similar background to your own. Generally speaking, Hispanic-serving colleges and universities also have more professors of Hispanic descent as well. This can be helpful for students looking for a mentor as they become accustomed to the postsecondary academic environment.
Hispanic-serving colleges and universities know that Hispanic students have unique needs and make a concerted effort to meet them. For instance, these students are far more likely to be first-generation students than their non-Hispanic classmates, and many of them come from families with financial restraints. This means that they could be less prepared for college life and have more obligations to their family than students from other backgrounds. It's no wonder that without the support they need, these students often drop out of school before completing a degree program. This is why HSIs provide programs and options to support the success of their Hispanic students. These may include flexible scheduling, tutoring services, remediation, and more.
