UCLA researchers say more Latino students are moving away from home to attend college. Experts say the trend goes against longtime cultural norms.
Close to 60 percent of Latino students now choose to attend four-year colleges more than 50 miles away from home. That's an increase of nearly 15 percent since the mid 1970s.
UCLA researchers say the increase is linked to the growth of middle class Latino families. They also say more college and universities outside of California are looking to diversify.
Jean Libby is with the Barrio Logan College Institute in San Diego, a group that helps get Latino students into college. She says small private colleges in the Midwest and New England are offering competitive financial aid packages to get Latino students on campus.
“When it's more affordable for kids to go to a small private school in New England than it is to live at home and go to San Diego State University, then the state schools are missing out,” Libby said.
UCLA researchers say the new trend defies what some would call a Latino tradition to stay close to home. They say more middle class Latino parents now have some college experience and are willing to loosen family ties.
