New Studies Indicate the Pressing Need for Increased Hispanic Graduate Rates

Near the beginning of his term as president, President Barack Obama announced his intention that the United States be the country with the highest percentage of people with post-secondary school degrees. However, a recent study, conducted by the American Enterprise Institute, which the New York Times reported on only a few weeks ago, claims that Obama’s goal will not be reached if the lagging number of Hispanics with college degrees does not improve very soon.

The numbers, the study found, are discouraging—only 51% of Hispanics who enrolled in college in 1999, 2000, and 2001, attained their degrees, trailing Whites by a full eight percent. The American Enterprise Institute also found that there are specific reasons for why this may be the case, and none have anything to do with the students themselves.

For one, the AEI noted, students of Hispanic origin (which is defined by the Census Bureau standards as anyone of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish origin) have notably stronger ties to their families than other demographic groups, bonds which are often strained when placed in a college environment. Other reasons for lower college degree graduation rates among Hispanic students are speculated as having partially to do with the difference in language and culture.

Regardless of the reasons for lower Hispanic college enrollment and graduation, it is important that those in the Hispanic community understand that there exists barriers within the system, placing them at an unfair disadvantage. However, with this in mind, it is absolutely essential that Hispanic students avail themselves of all the information they can about college—like the admissions and financial aid options out there, found both on this site and elsewhere—so as to be completely aware of what is involved in the process.

A recent report, published days ago by the policy research group Excelencia in Education!, found that future economic success in the state of Florida depends in large part on increasing Hispanic post-secondary graduates. Since the Hispanic population in Florida is exploding, the state’s labor force will soon be largely of Hispanic origin. The policy report suggests that continued informational education be made available specifically to Hispanics in order to aid in making them aware of what needs to be done to get into and finish college.

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This guest post is contributed by Emily Thomas, who writes on the topics of top online colleges.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: emily.thomas31@gmail.com.