In 2016, the science and engineering fields with the largest Hispanic or Latino representation were psychology (17%), social sciences (15%), and biological sciences (11.5%). According to a report by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, the leading provider of science and engineering data, high-Hispanic-enrollment institutions award the most bachelor’s degrees to students who later earn doctorate degrees in science and engineering fields.
Between 2013 and 2017, 37% of Hispanics or Latinos who received a doctorate in science and engineering earned a bachelor’s degree from a high-Hispanic-enrollment institution. No doubt about it, Hispanic-serving institutions play an important role in educating Hispanic or Latino students.
Latinos in Higher Education, a 2019 report published by Excelencia in Education, shows that in 2017-18 there were 523 Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), representing 17% of all colleges and universities. During 2007-2017, the number of HSIs grew from 264 to 523 (98%). Almost half of the students enrolled at HSIs (46%) were Latino and two-thirds (66%) of Latino undergraduates were enrolled at HSIs.
Although the share of science and engineering bachelor and doctorate degrees awarded to Hispanics or Latinos and other minorities has increased over the past two decades, Excelencia in Education found Latino students were less likely to pursue science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields, similar to other racial/ethnic groups—except Asians. About 16% of Latinos majored in a STEM field. Comparatively, 28% of Asians, 18% of Whites, and 13% of African Americans majored in a STEM field.
The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics said in 2016, about 56% of bachelor’s degrees in science and engineering fields were awarded to whites, an additional 9% were awarded to Asians, and underrepresented minority students received 22% of all science and engineering bachelor’s degrees and 9% of all science and engineering doctorate degrees.
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