Whittier College has been named as one of the nation’s Top 50 Colleges for Hispanic Students by BestColleges.com. Whittier was ranked as number four in a list that includes many other top public and private institutions of higher learning.
According to the site, Latino students are becoming an increasingly larger presence on college campuses in the United States. In fact, Latino enrollment in postsecondary institutions grew by 240 percent since 1996 and is expected to continue to increase. At the same time, studies have shown that a large percentage of Latinos enrolled in college are the first in their family to do so. These students require a strong support system on campus that will help them navigate academics, financial aid, and general campus life issues.
At Whittier College, the Ortiz Program is designed specifically for first generation Latino students who need extra guidance while enrolled at the College. The Ortiz Programs and Cultural Center also house student organizations that support all student via cultural, ethnic, interfaith engagement.
The list was created using data that took into account each college's academic standards, percentage of Latino students currently enrolled, and tuition, among other key factors. In addition, each school on the list has a cultural center, degree programs, and/or scholarships dedicated to enhancing the experiences of Latino students.
For the full list click here.
