Proprietary Colleges

Television is saturated with advertisements for proprietary colleges, such as the one that promises a career in under two years as a video game designer.  Proprietary colleges (also known as for-profit colleges) rely on tuition to cover operating costs and turn a profit. Interestingly enough, these schools enroll about 1.6 million of the 20 million students at all accredited colleges nationwide. Some lawmakers have even praised these schools as the future of higher education. Regardless of the numbers and praise, proprietary colleges must be well scrutinized because of their history of questionable business practices. More>>

 

Hispanic Serving Institutions

When researching colleges, students should explore an array of institutions and look at size, location, and price. Hispanic students might want to also investigate Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) - schools with an enrollment of full-time students that is at least 25% Hispanic.  According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are more than 240 Hispanic-serving institutions in 14 states and Puerto Rico that educate 50% of all Hispanic students who earn undergraduate degrees. HSIs are popular because they have reasonably priced tuition and are able to address the needs of the rising number of Hispanic college students.  More>>

 

Historically Black Colleges & Universities

As defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are the 105 accredited colleges and universities established prior to 1964 whose mission was and continues to be the education of African American students. At one time, these institutions, most of which are more than 100 years old, provided the only higher educational opportunities to African Americans. For generations, HBCUs have been the cornerstone of education in African American communities. More>>