Best Value Hispanic-Serving Colleges & Universities in Texas

In this ranking, we highlight the 10 best value Hispanic-serving colleges and universities in Texas. Our search began with an initial pool of the 49 Hispanic-serving institutes of higher education in Texas as identified by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). We then consulted PayScale.com to determine which of these schools had a 20-year ROI of at least $100,000. This narrowed the pool to just 15 schools. From there, we applied the rating and ranking methodology below. In cases of a tie, the most affordable school appears higher in the ranking. To learn about the online equivalent degrees regarding this information and more visit Best Value Colleges ranking of best value colleges online.

Net Price
Under $5,000— 5 points
Under $7,500— 4 points
Under $10,000—3 points
Under $15,000—2 points
Under $20,000—1 point

20-Year Return on ROI
Above $400,000— 4 points
Above $300,000— 3 points
Above $200,000— 2 points
Above $100,000— 1 point

Hispanic Student Organizations- 1 point per organization
Hispanic Scholarship Opportunities- 1 point
Awards and Recognition (Regarding Hispanic Higher Education)- 1 point
Additional Hispanic Student Resources (Alumni Associations, Student Advisement Councils, etc.)- 1 point per resource
Hispanic Centers and Institutes- 1 point per center or institute
Hispanic-Focused Degree Program - 1 point per program

Best Hispanic-Serving Colleges in Texas

About Hispanic-Serving Colleges and Universities

The US Department of Education provides funding for institutes of higher education that serve the Hispanic population as part of the White House's Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. In order to receive funding and be designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution—or HIS—the college or university must meet certain criteria. For instance, these schools must have a Hispanic student population of at least 25% in order to be eligible. They must also offer two or four-year degree programs and have a certain percentage of low-income students. In addition, they must formally apply for the designation through an application process. Once they receive federal designation, HSIs receive funding for academic services, curriculum development, teaching supplies, facility renovations, student support services, and more.

About the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is the only educational association in the country that represents Hispanic-serving institutions. As of this writing, it is comprised of more than 470 colleges and universities in the US, Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain. HACU members in the United States are collectively home to more than two-thirds of Hispanic college students in America. The organization conducts research and analyzes policies that affect the higher education of Hispanics in the US. It also offers support to Hispanic students in the form of scholarships, internship opportunities, career services, and more.

Best Value Hispanic Serving Colleges and Universities

The Hispanic-serving colleges and universities in this ranking provide exceptional value to their population of Hispanic students. Not only are these institutions affordable, but they also support Hispanic students through student organizations, special scholarship opportunities, and in some cases, academic programs directly related to the Hispanic culture. The Hispanic students who attend these schools in pursuit of a degree will find a supportive community of diverse students, professors, and faculty members who celebrate their heritage and unique contributions to the learning environment and overall college experience.

Hispanic-Serving Colleges and Universities: Background

Advocates of Hispanic higher education began lobbying for increased federal funding for institutions serving Hispanic students beginning in the 1980s. At that time, many Hispanic students who began a degree program failed to finish the program while others lacked access to postsecondary education. It became apparent that something must be done to accommodate those Hispanics who desired a quality college education. In 1992, Hispanic-serving institutions received formal designation under federal law, and three years later in 1995, Congress granted $12 million to eligible colleges and universities under the Higher Education Act. Since then, hundreds of millions of dollars have been granted to HSIs. These funds go towards improving the learning environment for Hispanic students through academic tutoring, counseling and advisement services, student resources, and more.

Hispanic-Serving Colleges and Universities: Financial Aid

Finances are always a concern when it comes to deciding where to attend college. For Hispanic students, many of whom come from low-income families, affording the cost of a higher education can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are some types of financial aid reserved specifically for Hispanic students, including both scholarships and grants. Scholarships and grants are the best types of financial aid for students to have, since unlike student loans, neither have to be paid back!

General Scholarships for Hispanic Students

Below are some examples of scholarships Hispanic students may apply for:

• HSF General College Scholarships
• Ronald McDonald House Charities/HACER Scholarship
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Foundation Scholarship
• NBC Universal/LNESC Scholarship
• Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) Scholarship

Specialty Scholarships for Hispanic Students

In addition to general scholarships reserved for Hispanic students, there are specialized scholarships available to those Hispanic students who meet certain criteria. Some of these specialty scholarships include:

• scholarships for Hispanic women
• scholarships for Hispanic graduate students
• scholarships for first generation Hispanic students
• scholarships for migrant workers and their families

Why Attend a Hispanic-Serving College or University?

Is a Hispanic-serving institution right for you? While that's certainly a personal choice, there are many reasons why students opt for HSIs. The majority of Latino students attend Hispanic-serving colleges and universities, and many of them report feeling at home at a school that embraces their culture and language. While they want to get to know students of all races and ethnicities, it's also comforting for them to be around some students who are from similar backgrounds as their own.

Hispanic-serving institutions also tend to have more Hispanic faculty members, and this can be helpful for students as well. These faculty members can seamlessly take on the position of mentor and role model for Hispanic students who may be struggling to transition into college life.
By definition, Hispanic-serving institutions are accustomed to meeting the unique needs of Hispanic students. Unlike many of their classmates,

Hispanic students tend to be first-generation students, and many of them come from low-income families as well. Often, students in these circumstances lack financial and moral support from their parents and other family members. Some may be juggling the demands of college life while also maintaining a full or part-time job and fulfilling obligations to their families. Without adequate support, students facing these kinds of circumstances struggle to stay in school and may, in fact, drop out before earning a degree or completing their education.

HSIs understand the pressure that many Hispanic students are under and provide resources to aid and support them. These resources may include one-on-one tutoring outside of class hours, remedial programs, and alternative schedules including night and/or online classes, for example.