California universities graduating more Latinos, but equity gaps persist

California colleges and universities need to close equity gaps between white and Latino students if they are to increase degree attainment among the latter group, according to a briefing released Tuesday from Excelencia in Education, a national organization that advocates for Latino student success in college.

The report found that the state’s public, four-year universities enroll and graduate more Latino students than the national average — 57% in California and 51% nationally. But statewide, only 20% of Latino adults have an associate degree compared to 54% of white non-Hispanic adults. Within California, Latinos graduate at a lower rate than their white peers, 57% and 67%, respectively, according to the report.

Excelencia recommends that state policies adjust to meet Latino students’ needs and expand opportunities for them to get college degrees.

“We cannot just be satisfied with being Hispanic-serving institutions,” California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said, during an Excelencia webinar about the brief. “We have to strive to be Hispanic-graduating institutions.”

California has the highest number of federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions, at 176 public and private colleges and universities. Institutions with at least 25% undergraduates who identify as Hispanic can apply for the federal designation, which allows for more federal grants and aid.