Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week is an annual celebration of colleges and universities that excel when it comes to supporting Hispanic students. Schools are eligible to apply for federal funding as an HSI when 25% or more of their undergraduate student body identifies as Hispanic or Latino. But many colleges go above and beyond this minimum classification to ensure these students succeed through diverse programming and campus opportunities. Learn more about HSIs and everything they have to offer by exploring these schools in the midwestern and western US. You can request more information from any HSI below by clicking the green “Connect me” buttons.
Please note: Many of these colleges have official partnerships with the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities, but not all of them. Any college without a partnership was confirmed to meet the standards of an HSI through the organization Excelencia in Education.
California Baptist University
California Baptist University is a private liberal arts university in Riverside, California—60 miles from Los Angeles. With an enrollment of nearly 11,500 students, the University offers more than 150 academic programs, a student-faculty ratio of 19:1, and an average class size of 22 students. New students benefit from CBU’s unique First-Year Experience (FYE), which helps ease freshmen into University life and the campus community through activities and services to promote student success.
CBU fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 40%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta, including cultural meals and performances
Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine is a Lutheran coeducational institution in Irvine, California—50 miles south of Los Angeles. The University has a total enrollment of more than 36,000 students who study in over 60 programs and get involved in 40+ on-campus organizations. CUI’s featured Enduring Questions & Ideas curriculum advances each student’s education by pairing certain courses that explore big ideas and facilitate big questions.
CUI fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 25%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Nuestra Voz, CU Inclusion, Step One
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Annual Hispanic Leadership Conference, First-Generation Student Services, Unity Week
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren Church and located in Fresno, California. With a total enrollment of over 4,000, the University offers students 40 majors, 38 minors, and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. FPU facilitates student success through programs like STEM learning communities, a University Scholars Program, and the ALAS Intercultural Learning Center.
FPU fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 42%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Athletes of Color Alliances Club, Latinx Student Union Club, International Club
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Diversity and Inclusion program, Daughters of a Hispanic Institute, 2gether WE Stand, Fresno State Dream Success Center
Holy Names University
Holy Names University is a Catholic liberal arts institution in Oakland, California. The University is home to a close-knit student body of under 1,000 students who study in 45 programs, benefit from a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, and get involved in 15 NCAA Division athletic teams and 14 campus clubs. Students serve as leaders, mentors, and activists in service learning projects, internships, and volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and more.
Holy Names fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 34%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: HNU Folklorico, Latinos Unidos
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Latinx Studies undergraduate concentration program; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University is a Baptist university in southwest Houston, Texas. With approximately 2,400 undergraduates and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the University offers over 60 majors for students to choose from. Named one of the most ethnically diverse Christian universities in the West, HCU also provides opportunities like the Honors College and collaboration with scholars and ministry leaders.
HBU fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 37%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Hispanic Student Organization
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Hispanic student–specific scholarships, ADELANTE! Program, Latino Student Success Initiative, Hispanic Heritage Month events and activities
Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University is a private Christian Baptist university in Brownwood, Texas. With approximately 1,000 undergraduates and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, students can choose from over 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. HPU is ranked as a “Best Value School” in the West, offering numerous scholarships for academic achievement, leadership skills, community and church involvement, and field of study to help students pay for their education.
HPU fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 29%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Amigos Unidos Club
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Department of Spanish and Hispanic Studies, Spanish-speaking internships, Día de los Muertos and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
John Paul the Great Catholic University
John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private religious university in Escondido, California—30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. The University’s unique academic model combines hands-on projects, mentorship, and portfolio preparation with a Catholic liberal arts education in literature, theology, and philosophy across 13 programs. With an enrollment under 300, students experience small class sizes, mentorship from industry professionals, and a community of Catholics who are passionate about creativity.
JPCatholic fast facts:
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 30%
- Resources for Hispanic student success: My Success Plan program, Creative Entrepreneurship Program
North Park University
North Park University is a private comprehensive Christian university in Chicago, Illinois. NPU’s 3,200 students are enrolled in more than 120 academic programs across seven colleges and schools in the sciences, humanities, business, and the arts. Designated as a College of Distinction, the University supports student success through a 12:1 student-faculty ratio; an average class size of 17; rigorous programs in popular fields such as business, nursing, biology, and exercise science; and more.
NPU fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 32%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Latin American Student Organization, Rising DREAMers United
- Resources for Hispanic student success: The Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life, The Collaboratory diversity center, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
Southwestern University
Southwestern University is a private Methodist liberal arts and sciences university in Georgetown, Texas—28 miles north of Austin. The University’s curriculum incorporates the humanities, fine arts, and social and natural sciences across 37 majors and seven pre-professional programs. More than 1,500 students engage in dynamic classroom discussions and real-world learning experiences that empower them to think effectively, collaborate, and view problems from multiple perspectives.
Southwestern fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 25%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Hispanics and Latinx Organization (HALO), National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Coalition for Diversity and Social Justice, Educators for Equity, Jolt Texas Student Chapter,
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Center; Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society; scholarships specifically for Hispanic students
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University is a private Methodist institution four miles from downtown Fort Worth, Texas. More than 2,600 students are enrolled in 30 undergraduate majors and enjoy a generous scholarship program offering up to $22,000 per year. Texas Wesleyan supports students who want to teach the next generation, research animal life in exotic locations, take the stage as a performing artist, attend graduate school, or anything else they set their minds to.
Texas Wesleyan fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 29%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Bilingual Education Student Organization, Latinx Student Association
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Hispanic historical library collections, Bilingual Education programs, the Academic Success Center, Hispanic Heritage Month events
Connect me with Texas Wesleyan!
University of Redlands
The University of Redlands is a private liberal arts university in Redlands, California—65 miles east of Los Angeles. With an enrollment of over 4,900, the University offers 40 programs of study and an average class size of 18. Students can take advantage of personalized career prep resources through the Office of Career and Professional Development as well as extensive opportunities for community service and awareness events for social justice initiatives.
Redlands fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 40%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Redlands International Student Association, Órale Latinx Club, Wadada Wa Rangi Wengi non-Greek sisterhood, Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society
- Resources for Hispanic student success: College & High-School Alliance Mentoring Program and Service, Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations
University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word is a private Catholic liberal arts university near the center of San Antonio, Texas. The University has over 90 undergraduate academic programs in 11 schools and colleges; a 12:1 student-faculty ratio; Division I athletics; and an enrollment of nearly 8,000 total students. As the largest Catholic college in Texas, UIW is committed to social justice and community service through transformative education.
UIW fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 51%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: As One We Will, Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Atlas Program, Hispanic Heritage Month programming
Vanguard University of Southern California
Vanguard University of Southern California is a Christian liberal arts university in Costa Mesa, California—45 miles east of Los Angeles. With 2,200 total students and a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, students can choose from 23 majors, some with concentration options, as well as eight minors. At Vanguard, 98% of students receive financial aid—including 90% receiving academic scholarships—and those who commute are ensured a full campus life through commuter-life programming and designated staff and student leaders.
Vanguard fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 43%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: El Puente, One Voice, Peacemakers, Society for Advancement for Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, The Mix multiracial club
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership
Learn more about HSI Week with our article on How to Celebrate and Honor Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week, and continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by reading more content with our special tag.
