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INFOGRAPHIC: Hispanic Education Trends

100-PO003 (P09/30/2016)

infographic

(Rachel Friederich , DOC Communications)

Text Version

Hispanic Education Trends

The number of Hispanic students enrolled in college has reached an all-time high in recent years. Between 1972 and 2011, the Latino share of 18-to-24-year old college students rose from 2.9 percent to 16.9 percent and now make up about a quarter of that age group at two-year colleges nationwide. However, they still lag in Bachelor’s degrees compared to other racial groups.

Sources: Pew Research Center and The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education

Educational Attainment

There were 55.3 million Hispanics in the United States in 2014, comprising 17.3% of the U. S. population. Of those aged 25 or older:

  • 61.7 percent are a high school graduate or less
  • 23.9 percent finished a two-year degree or had some type of college
  • 14.4 percent obtained a Bachelor’s degree or more

Source: Pew Research Center on Hispanic Trends

Barriers to Education

A 2009 survey about the opinions of Hispanic youths in America between the ages of 18 and 25 found:

  • Education is seen as important
    • Nearly all Latino youths, 89 percent, agree with the statement that a college degree is important for getting ahead in life, However, just under half say they plan to get a college degree.
  • Gangs and incarceration are barriers
    • Many respondents indicated pressure to join gangs is a risk factor for not going to college. More than half, 56 percent, of Mexican-heritage Latinos said gangs were in their schools.
    • Getting involved in gangs can lead to jail, About three percent of young Hispanic youths between 16 and 25 were incarcerated in 2008.
  • Other perceived barriers
    • Three-quarters of respondents said feeling financial pressure to support a family was a reason to cut off school before college.
    • Other reasons respondents said they didn’t go to college:
      • Poor English skills
      • A dislike of school
      • Belief they don’t need more education for the careers they plan to pursue

Source: Pew Hispanic Research Center on Hispanic Trends

Enrollment on the Rise

This infographic contains a line graph of 18-24-year-olds enrolled in college between 1993-2012 and are tracked by racial group. In the specified time span:

  • The number of students representing all races and ethnicities rose from 8.6 million to 12.5 million.
  • The number of whites increased from 6.2 million to 7.2 million.
  • 897,000 to 2.4 million were Hispanic.
  • 728,000 to 1.7 million were Black.
  • The number of Asians enrolled in college hovered around the same level but saw a slight increase to 915,000 between 2008 to 2012.
Sources
  1. Krogstad, Jens Manuel. “More Hispanics, Blacks in College, but Lag in Bachelor’s degrees. April 2014 at the Pew Research Center.
    http://www.pewhispanic.org
  2. Hoogeveen, Paul. “Closing the Education Gap: A Surge In Hispanic College Enrollment.” January 2012 in The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education
  3. Stepler, Renee & Brown, Anna. “Statistical Portrait of Hispanics in the United States.” April 2016 at the Pew Research Center on Hispanic Trends.
    http://pewhispanic.org
  4. "Between Two Worlds: How Young Latinos Come of Age in America" December 2009. Pew Research Center on Hispanic Trends
    http://pewhispanic.org