The figures come from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. The most recent figures available are from the 2006-2007 academic year.
“The University of Houston draws great strength from the diversity of its student body,” said Donald Foss, UH senior vice president of academic affairs and provost. “We are very proud of our students and pleased to be recognized for our efforts to admit and to graduate more Hispanic students.”
More than 1,000 bachelor’s degrees were awarded to Hispanic students in 2007, placing UH 14th in the nation. That ranking is up one place from last year. Regarding doctoral degrees, UH ranks 12th with 239 degrees conferred upon Hispanic students, up from No. 23 last year. In addition, UH was 54th for awarding master’s degrees to Hispanic students. That ranking is up 10 places from last year.
“UH has a commitment to retain and graduate Hispanic students,” said Lorenzo Cano, associate director of the Center for Mexican American Studies. “Our Academic Achievers Program is recognized for its ability to encourage students as young as middle school to think about college, enroll and graduate.”
This is the first year the magazine includes figures for colleges and universities enrolling the most Hispanic students. UH is 17th in the nation for that category, enrolling more than 6,630 Hispanic students. The figure represents 19 percent of the university’s total enrollment. The magazine, which annually ranks colleges and universities graduating Hispanic students, notes that, generally, more Hispanic women than men were awarded degrees in the nation.
Several UH colleges were listed among the top 10 awarding first professional degrees to Hispanics. Those colleges are: Optometry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Business and Marketing, Communications, Psychology and Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies.
The University of Houston-Downtown is ranked sixth in awarding first professional degrees to Hispanics in Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies and 10th in Protective Services.
To view the entire list of colleges and universities ranked by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine, visit http://www.hispanicoutlook.com/top100.htm.
About the University of Houston
The University of
Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home
to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300
partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most
diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of
education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.