As the number of students enrolled in American colleges continues to grow, it might be no surprise that a majority of that growth comes from Latinos. That’s according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data by the Pew Hispanic Center.
From 2010 to 2011, the number of students aged 18 to 24 attending American colleges grew from 12.2 million to a record 12.6 million, and Latinos account for the largest share of that growth.
It found that the increase in number of young Latinos enrolled in college outpaced all other ethnic groups. Latino college enrollment grew 15 percent in the last year, while white enrollment grew by just 3 percent, and Asian and African-American enrollment actually fell, by 8 percent and 3 percent respectively.
Latinos are now the largest ethnic minority on four-year college campuses.
The country’s huge Latino population growth has a lot to do with that. But Pew researchers also said a record number of young Latinos are graduating from high school, making them eligible to attend college.
To read the full report, click here.
