Our listing of the Top 25 Colleges for Latinos is presented alphabetically. Compiled by the editors of LATINO Magazine from a variety of sources, this is by no means a definitive list, and none of these may be the right college for an individual student. We’ve included a brief description of each. For reasons of space, we’ve focused on four year colleges with just a few community colleges, which are a valid option for many. But we hope it provides a starting point. From Arizona State to the University of Texas, each entry includes the institution’s address, telephone number and website. For more information, go online. Contact them to order an application, or to schedule a visit, or ask any questions. Parents, engage your high school-age children in a discussion about the importance of a college education. Students, involve your parents as you search for the right college. This listing is included in College for Latinos, a bilingual guide to college success for students and parents published from LATINO Magazine and the GM Foundation. To order a copy for home or the classroom, please contact us at ajestrada@latinomagazine.com. ¡Gracias!
1. Arizona State University
411 North Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 965-7788
www.asu.edu
Founded in 1885 and located in Phoenix, Arizona State University is the largest in the country. Students can pursue a degree in a variety of programs that are ranked among the best in the nation ranging from engineering to public affairs programs. The university also boasts 324 National Hispanic Scholars, one of the most in the country.
2. Austin Community College
1212 Rio Grande St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 223-3000
www.austincc.edu
A nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas, Austin Community College currently enrolls more than 43,000 credit students and serves an additional 15,000 students each year through noncredit programs. Hispanics make up 29.1 percent of the student population. Its “open door” policy ensures admission to all who met eligibility criteria.
3. Brown University
69 Brown Street
Providence, RI 02912
(401) 863-1000
www.brown.edu
When considering Ivy League schools some families may overlook Brown University. Located in historic Providence, Rhode Island and founded in 1764, Brown University is the seventh-oldest college in the United States. A leading research university, undergraduates pursue bachelor’s degrees in more than 75 concentrations, ranging from Egyptology to cognitive neuroscience.
4. Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
(805)756-1111
www.calpoly.edu
California Polytechnic State University, also known as Cal Poly is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, CA. Founded in 1901 as a vocational high school, it is currently one of only two polytechnic universities in the 23-member California State University system. Cal Poly is known for its “learn by doing” educational philosophy that encourages students to solve real-world problems by combining classroom theory with experiential laboratory exercise.
5. Emory University
201 Dowman Drive
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-6123
www.emory.edu
Recognized as an outstanding liberal arts college, Emory calls Atlanta home. The university is consistently identified as a best value among private universities and colleges—those institutions that are both academically strong and affordable and committed to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all accepted domestic students.
6. Florida International University
11200 S.W. 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199
www.fiu.edu
(305)348-2000
Miami’s first and only public research university, FIU is one of the largest in the country with an enrollment of more than 47,000 students, of which 67 percent are Latino undergraduates. Students can choose from a variety of over 180 programs that offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, international relations and law. The mission of the university includes research as a major component.
7. George Mason University
400 University Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 993-1000
www.gmu.edu
Named after one of the founding fathers, George Mason University sits just south of the nation’s capital near Fairfax, Virginia. An independent institution, GMU has received recognition for its strong programs in economics, law, creative writing and computer science. According to GMU president Ángel Cabrera, “We care about inclusion because of our commitment to individual rights and liberties, which is embedded in our history and our culture.”
8. Georgetown University
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20057
(202) 687-0100
www.georgetown.edu
Founded in 1789 in Washington, D.C., Georgetown is the oldest Catholic university in the country, with a campus that reflects its history. A leading academic and research institution, the university’s international affairs and law programs are considered among the best in the nation and world. The university strives to provide a world-class learning experience and over half of its undergraduate students spend time studying abroad.
9. Harvard University
86 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-1000
www.harvard.edu
Mention the Ivy League and thoughts immediately turn to Harvard University. Founded in 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the nation. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard offers a range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs for students to choose from. With over 20,000 students, Harvard is also one of the most selective and competitive universities in the world.
10. Miami Dade College
300 N.E. 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33132
(305)237-8888
www.mdc.edu
With seven campuses, two centers and more than 165,000 students from across the world, Miami Dade College is the largest and most diverse college in the nation. It offers over 300 programs of study and several degree options, including vocational, associate, and baccalaureate degrees. It annually awards more associate degrees than any other community college in the United States including the most associate degrees to Hispanics.
11. Michigan State University
250 Hannah Administration Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 355-8332
www.msu.edu
The nation’s pioneer land-grant university, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world with a culture that encourages all people to contribute their special talents and reach their full potential. MSU brings together an exceptional faculty, a vast array of world-class facilities and resources, and more than 200 programs of undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional study.
12. Purdue University
475 Stadium Mall Dr.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
(765) 494-1776
www.purdue.edu
Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and is the flagship university of the Purdue University system. It was founded in 1869 and has become renowned for its influence in American aviation. It offered the first four-year bachelor’s degree in aviation and 22 Purdue graduates have gone on to become astronauts, including Neil Armstrong (the first person to walk on the moon). The university offers over 210 major areas of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
13. Rutgers University
83 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
www.rutgers.edu
(732) 445-4636
Latinos make up twelve percent of the student population at Rutgers, one of the leading national public research universities in the nation. Based in Newark, the university is a land-grant institution with over 40,000 students and ranks eleventh in the number of degrees earned by Latinos (among peer institutions in the Association of American Universities).
14. San Jose City College
2100 Moorpark Ave.
San Jose, CA 95192
(408) 298-2181
www.sjcc.edu
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose City College (SHCC) is known around the world as the center for innovation in technology and research. From its modest beginnings in 1921, San Jose City College has grown into a world-class institution enrolling about 20,000 students each year and offering associates degrees in multiple disciplines within the arts and sciences.
15. St. Mary’s University
One Camino Santa Maria
San Antonio, TX 78228
www.stmarytx.edu
(210) 436-3011
Founded in 1852 and based in San Antonio, St. Mary’s University is a Catholic university. It is also the oldest of its kind in Texas and the Southwest, and provides a Catholic educational experience that incorporates liberal studies, professional preparation and ethical commitment.
16. Stanford University
450 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305
(650) 723-2300
www.stanford.edu
Considered the Ivy League school of the west, Stanford University opened its doors in 1891. Located just south of San Francisco, the university is recognized as one of the world’s leading research and teaching institutions and many graduates find employment with prominent technology companies like Google, Microsoft and Cisco. Close interaction with faculty is emphasized at Stanford and the student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 5.9 to one.
17. Universidad de Puerto Rico
170 Carr. #174, Km.2.8, Parque Industrial Minillas
Bayamón, P.R. 00959
(787) 786-2885
www.upr.edu
With a student population that is 99 percent Latino, the Universidad de Puerto Rico is the largest and oldest university in Puerto Rico. Founded in 1903, the UPR is the most selective university in Puerto Rico, offering over 500 diverse academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Over 60,000 students take courses at eleven campuses around the island.
18. University of California-Berkeley
108 MLK Student Union
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 642-1016
www.berkeley.edu
A major research institution, the University of California-Berkeley was founded in 1868 following the gold rush on the San Francisco Bay. Considered the world’s premier public university, UC Berkeley researchers have discovered 16 chemicals (more than any other university in the world), Vitamin E, and were the first to identify the flu virus. The university offers over 350 academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
19. University of California-Los Angeles
1147 Murphy Hall, Box 951436
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-3101
www.ucla.edu
Founded in 1919, The University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) receives the most freshman applications than any other school in the country. The second oldest, and a flagship institution within the University of California system, it is ranked as one of the best research universities in the world. Nearly 40,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of 127 majors and dozens of academic programs.
20. University of California-Davis
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-1011
www.ucdavis.edu
The University of California-Davis celebrated a centennial in 2006. What began as an agricultural school has grown into public university known for its doctoral research and located just west of Sacramento. It is the largest campus within the University of California system and the third largest enrollment.
21. University of Miami
1252 Memorial Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 284-2211
www.miami.edu
Located in Coral Gables, the University of Miami was founded in 1925 during the real estate boom that hit the region. A private research institution with over 15,000 students enrolled, it offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in 12 schools and colleges in more than 180 majors and programs. In 2012, Latino students made up 28 percent of the student population.
22. University of New Mexico-Albuquerque
Student Support & Service Center
1155 University Blvd, SE
Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 277-8900
The University of New Mexico is a Hispanic-serving Institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico with Latino students comprising 40 percent of the student population. It was founded in 1889 and is the state’s flagship research institution. The university‘s law school is among the highest ranked for Latinos. There are more than 210 degrees and programs for students to choose from at UNM.
23. University of Texas at San Antonio
1 UTSA Cir.
San Antonio, TX 78249
(210) 458-4011
www.utsa.edu
An emerging Tier One research institution specializing in health, energy, security, sustainability, and human and social development, The University of Texas at San Antonio was a welcome addition to the UT System. Founded in 1969, the university enrollment has grown to 29,000 and offers 147 degree programs.
24. University of Texas at El Paso
500 West University Avenue
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 747-5000
www.utep.edu
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) celebrates its centennial in 2014. Since opening its doors as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, UTEP has grown from 27 mining students to more than 23,000 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. It also boasts a healthy Latino student population of 80 percent.
25. University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
1201 West University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 665-8872
www.utpa.edu
With almost 20,000 students, the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) graduates one of the highest numbers of Latino students in the country every year. A product of the merger between the University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Texas at Brownsville, UTRGV offers a high quality and affordable education at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the region. UTRGV is a Hispanic Serving Institution.