Every year in September, the US celebrates Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week to honor and uplift colleges and universities that excel in their support of Hispanic students. Higher education institutions gain HSI status when 25% of their undergraduate student body identifies as Hispanic or Latino, but many colleges go above and beyond this minimum classification to ensure the success of these students through programming and student life opportunities. Start exploring amazing HSIs with these schools in the Southern US. You can request more information from any HSI below by clicking the green “Connect me” buttons.
Sources: All of the following colleges and universities are designated as HSIs by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities. Additional information is derived from college and university websites, ColleXpress school profiles, and the National Center for Education Statistics.
Angelo State University
Angelo State University is a public comprehensive university in San Angelo, Texas. Recognized as a 2024 College of Distinction, the University supports students with small class sizes, experiential learning opportunities, access to cutting-edge technology, a diverse campus life, and more. With one of the largest endowed scholarship programs in the nation, Angelo State awards 45% of students with Distinguished Scholarships, and students who don’t receive them are still eligible for other gifts and financial aid.
ASU fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 39%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Association of Mexican-American Students, Baile Folkorico: Danza de Oro, RAMbassadors
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Multicultural Center, Multicultural Advisory Council, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and events, Center for Career and Professional Success
Barry University
Barry University is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Miami Shores, Florida. The University enrolls more than 3,300 undergraduate students and offers 100+ academic programs, including majors in fields such as Business, Communications, Computer Science, Education, Health, Law, and more. Barry also has an active campus community with 50+ organizations to choose from and 12 varsity athletic teams with 28 NCAA Division II championship titles.
Barry fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 36%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Caribbean Student Association, Latin American Student Association, Latino Student Social Work Organization, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Minority Association of Pre-Health Students, Island VYBZ Dancers
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Certificate of Hispanic/Latino Theology program, Hispanic Heritage Month events, DACA/Dreamer resources
Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University is a Christian 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, 50+ student organizations, and collaboration with scholars and ministry leaders.
HBU fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 40%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Hispanic Student Organization, International Student Organization, Bilingual Education 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: 27%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Amigos Unidos
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Department of Spanish and Hispanic Studies, Spanish-speaking internships, Día de los Muertos and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
Marymount University
Marymount University is a comprehensive Catholic university in Arlington, Virginia—just six miles from Washington, DC. With a student body of 3,900, Marymount offers 55 undergraduate degrees, 55 minors, and more than 50 graduate and certificate programs. Designated the most ethnically diverse school in the South, the University provides resources for a student-focused experience through the Centers for Career Development; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Global Engagement; and Service as well as a strong honors program.
Marymount fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 29%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: International Club, Saints Unafraid
- Resources for Hispanic student success: ¡Avanzamos!, International Student Services, Leaders-in-Residence Program, participation in the HACU Annual Conference and ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute
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: 27%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Coalition for Diversity and Social Justice, Educators for Equity, Latinos Unidos, Kappa Delta Chi,
- 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 Tech University
Texas Tech University is a public comprehensive research university in Lubbock, Texas. The University offers more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 41,000 students, including 3,000+ who travel internationally to learn on campus. Whether floating the lazy river or joining one of 550+ student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities and adventures for getting involved in life as a Red Raider.
Texas Tech fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 42%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Alpha Sigma Rho Sorority, Association of Latino Professionals for America, Brazilian Student Association at Tech, Caribbean Student Association, Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Hispanic Student Society, Latin Dance Club, Céfiro: Enlace Hispano, Cultural y Literario, Delta Alpha Sigma Multicultural Sorority, El Club de Español, Mediterranean Student Society, Minority Association of Pre-Health Students, Multicultural Greek Council, Multicultural Pre-Dental Association, Multicultural Student Business Association, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Rise Peer Educators, The Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic & International Communication, Support Operations for Academic Retention, RaiderReady, First Generation Transition & Mentoring Programs, Raiders Rojos Alumni Network, Hispanic student scholarships
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 do anything else they set their minds to.
Texas Wesleyan fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 34%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Bilingual Education Student Organization, International Student Organizations, 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 Dallas
The University of Dallas is a church-affiliated liberal arts institution with a 215-acre campus in Irving, Texas—on the northwest boundary of Dallas. Regardless of which of the University’s 25+ undergraduate majors they choose, all students must complete UD’s nationally recognized Core Curriculum: a two-year, 60-credit-hour sequence of classes. UD’s unique academic, spiritual, and communal character brings students together through more than 50 academic, service, and social clubs and organizations.
UD fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 27%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Student Leaders for Racial Solidarity, Spanish Club
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Bilingual Orientation Leaders, First-Generation Scholars Program, first-generation and underrepresented student scholarships
University of the Incarnate Word
The 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: 64%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: As One We Will, Delta Xi Nu Multicultural Sorority, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, National Hispanic Pharmacists Association, Spanish Optometry Society, Teatro Del Mundo Neuvo
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Atlas Program, Hispanic Heritage Month programming, TRIO Student Support Services, UIW First-Generation Resource Center, Office of International Student and Scholar Services
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is a private Baptist liberal arts university in Belton, Texas. The University offers 119 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate degree programs imbued with hands-on learning experiences to more than 3,700 students. With over 50 student clubs and organizations and a full calendar of athletic events, from dorm life to on- and off-campus ministries, life beyond the classroom is full and rich at UMHB.
UMHB fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 25%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Hispanic Student Association, ASTRA, First Year Collective, Spanish Club
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Annual Latino Fest, Counseling Services, Meadows Center for Academic Excellence
University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler is a public comprehensive university in Tyler, Texas—about 100 miles west of Dallas. With more than 80 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, the University offers a wealth of learning opportunities to students representing 167 Texas counties, 45 states, and 60+ nations of the world. UT Tyler is a fast-growing university with outstanding facilities such as the renowned R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center, a centerpiece of cultural entertainment in East Texas, and the Herrington Patriot Center, a state-of-the-art fitness center.
UT Tyler fast facts
- Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment: 25%
- Hispanic-serving organizations: Delta Alpha Sigma Multicultural Sorority Incorporated, Este Poder, Hispanic Student Association, Latino Medical Student Association, Medical Spanish Interest Group, Minorities in Business
- Resources for Hispanic student success: Coordinated Admissions Program, PASSages Program, Patriot Principles for Academic Excellence, Hispanic Heritage Month events
Explore more Hispanic-Serving institutions in the Northeastern US as well as the Midwest and West with our other featured HSI lists.
