Labor Market Returns for Graduates of Hispanic-Serving Institutions

• In Event: Hispanics and Higher Education: Aptitudes, Community Colleges, and Labor Market Returns

Abstract

This paper explores the net effect of graduating from a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) on earnings for Hispanic college graduates. This analysis is one of the first to examine the role of graduating from an HSI as compared to similar institutions that are not HSIs on wages accounting for high school, postsecondary, and economic region characteristics of a state. Using student-level data from Texas, we examine earnings for Hispanic graduates of HSIs compared to similar non-HSIs. We demonstrate that differences in earnings between Hispanic students graduating from HSIs compared to non-HSIs are driven by selectivity, not HSI designation. This finding is important, as HSIs are often criticized for low graduation rates and poor labor market outcomes.

Authors

• Toby Park, Florida State University

• Stella M. Flores, New York University

• Christopher J. Ryan, Vanderbilt University