A Hispanic-Serving Institution is an accredited, degree-granting public or private nonprofit college with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent enrollment. How many are there in the U.S.?

Answer: 631 colleges and universities

In 2024-25 there were 631, across 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. 

Questions:

• HSIs enroll 32% of all U.S. undergraduates. Why might a designation like that matter to a school?
• HSIs have received federal funding since 1995. What should that money pay for at a college?
• What questions could you ask a college about the support your tuition and fees actually buys you?

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

Behind the Numbers: (Excelencia in Education)

HSIs first received federal funding in 1995, three years after being included in the Higher Education Act. Beyond the 631 that currently qualify, Excelencia counts 427 emerging HSIs. HSIs also graduate 67% of Latino students and 32% of all students earning a degree in the U.S.

About the Author

Yonathan Tadesse

Yonathan is a Dallas-based Curriculum Designer at NGPF with 12 years of experience as a high school math, college transition, and financial literacy teacher. An award-winning educator, he has a track record of launching innovative programs at the high school level that expand access and opportunity for students. He is a graduate of Emory University and is passionate about advancing financial education for all students. Outside of work, Yonathan loves spending time with his wife and two kids, working out, playing chess and poker, and learning new things.