The document discusses retention rates of Latino college students. It finds that Hispanic students have the highest high school dropout rates at 6.0% compared to 3.3% for white students. Foreign born Hispanic dropout rates are even higher at 11.2% compared to 4.9% for US born Hispanics. The document also finds that native Hispanics and immigrants have lower rates of bachelor's degree attainment than their white counterparts. It suggests reasons for these gaps like low family income levels, parents' education levels, and the importance of support programs for first generation students.

1. RETENTION RATE OF LATINO
COLLEGE STUDENTS
JULY 5TH, 2016

2. Hispanics have the highest high school drop-out rate (6.0%),
compared to the non-Hispanic white counterparts of 3.3%. Even
worse, the foreign born Hispanic drop-out rate compared to the U.S.
born drop-out rate is 11.2% and 4.9%, respectively. (ages 16-19)
3.3%
6.0%
4.9%
11.2%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
non-Hispanic White Hispanic U.S. born Hispanic Foreign Born Hispanic
High School Drop-out Rate
Source: Pew Research Center tabulations of 2014 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

3. Percentage of Population 25 years
and older with a bachelor’s degree
Native Hispanic 20%
Foreign Hispanic 12%
Native White 48%
Foreign White 36%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015 Current Population Survey.

4. HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION
ATTAINED AMONG ADULTS IN THE
UNITED STATES (AGED 25 TO 64)
42%
25%
52%
14%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Non-Hispanic White Hispanic
Adults With an Associate Degree or Higher
U.S. Born Immigrant
7%
20%
10%
50%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Non-Hispanic White Hispanic
Adults Without a High School Credential
Native Immigrant

5. WHY HISPANIC IMMIGRANTS HAVE
SUCH LOW EDUCATIONAL
ATTAINMENT
Low income
63% of Hispanic foreign-born
families are low-income,
compared to 46% of native-
born families
Parent Educational Levels
35% (19.4 million) Latinos in
the U.S. are immigrants and
only 17% of foreign born
Latinos are college-educated.

6. TRANSFER STUDENT DEGREE
EXPECTANCY
Six-year outcomes for students who started at a
2-year public institution
Completed at different 4-
year institution
96,376 9.8%
Completed at different 2-
year institution
31,470 3.2%
Total = 983,433

7. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Programs like First Generation Foundation and I’m First cater to first-
generation students, nearly a quarter of which are Hispanic, and Avanzando
will best cater to these students by using people related to this audience
Many programs focus on mentorship and career opportunities, but it is also
important to remember cultural competency, which Avanzando provides
because it is essential that we teach students how to interact with others
from different backgrounds whether it be in a college setting or beyond.

8. HOW TO HELP TRANSFER
STUDENTS
Before they transfer After they have transferred
• Search for the most transfer-friendly
schools
• Understand what each school needs
from transfer students
• Know how your credits will transfer
• Better academic preparation
• Emphasize importance of campus
involvement and academic success
• Encourage on-campus housing
• Connect with people from similar
backgrounds for familiarity

9. COSTS OF DROPPING OUT
• Students with only a high school diploma have an annual income of $32,900
compared to the $45,000 annual income for someone with a bachelor’s
degree.
• The unemployment rate among those began college but didn’t finish is 11%
compared to 4.1% for those with a B.A.
• Students with some college but no degree default on their student loans at a
rate of 16.8% while those with a B.A. default at 3.7%.

10. STUDENT LOANS
There are more students borrowing than not, with 65.6% borrowing
an average amount of $24,842. Out of all Hispanic college students,
66.8% borrow an average of $22,692.
Out of all borrowers, 30% drop out of college, and 31% of Latino
borrowers drop out of school.