Each year The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine gives a shout out to schools that have distinguished themselves for their commitment to diversity and providing students with the best possible education outcomes. Here’s a list of schools we think meets those standards.  

SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY, SHIPPENSBURG, PA
www.ship.edu

Founded in 1871 as the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, Shippensburg University (SU) is a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and school of choice to more than 7,000 students. While most are Pennsylvania residents, SU has also attracted students from 15 nations and 20 other states. Their student-to-faculty ratio is 20 to 1, allowing for personalized instruction. SU nurtures healthy lifestyles at their fully equipped recreation center, and the on-site childcare center nurtures children of students and staff with superior care provided by certified teachers. 

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM
www.maine.edu

Established in 1968, the University of Maine System (UMS) is the state’s largest educational enterprise. It has an annual enrollment of nearly 40,000 students and serves over 500,000 individuals annually through educational and diverse cultural offerings. Two-thirds of its alumni—approximately 120,000 people—live in Maine. UMS features seven universities—some with multiple campuses—located across the state, as well as eight University College outreach centers, a law school, an additional 31 course sites and cooperative extension.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
www.usf.edu

The University of South Florida (USF) is a large, public four-year university offering undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral level degrees comprised of three schools: USF; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. Serving more than 49,000 students, USF is comprised of 14 colleges offering more than 180 undergraduate majors and concentrations—with some of the most populated colleges being USF Health, Arts & Sciences, Business and Engineering. USF St. Petersburg offers an intimate, waterfront campus environment with smaller classes and an emphasis on community engagement. 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
www.ucdavis.edu

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is the home of the Aggies—go-getters, change makers and problem solvers who make their mark at one of the top public universities in the United States. Since it was founded in 1905, UC Davis has been known for standout academics, sustainability and Aggie Pride, as well as valuing the Northern California lifestyle. These themes are woven into its 100-plus-year history and its reputation for solving problems related to food, health, the environment and society. The 5,300-acre campus is in the city of Davis, a vibrant college town of about 68,000 located in Yolo County. 

AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY
www.augie.edu

Founded in 1860, Augustana University (AU) is a selective, comprehensive university affiliated with the Lutheran Church. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs for undergraduates, along with graduate degree and continuing education programs, AU is committed to enriching lives and fostering development by combining a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study. AU serves approximately 1,900 students from 34 states and 38 countries. Most are part of its residential community and call its 100-acre campus home. 

BRIDGEWATER STATE UNIVERSITY
www.bridgew.edu

Since its founding in 1840, Bridgewater State University (BSU) has remained steadfast in its commitment to empower individuals and instill in its community an abiding desire to advance the public good. Its rigorous and dynamic academic environment encourages students and faculty to develop their strengths and become leaders in their fields. At the same time, BSU’s goal is to strive to lead by example. As it continues to build momentum, school leaders continuously reinvest in the success of the BSU’s students and region.

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
www.epcc.edu

The El Paso County Community College District (EPCC) was established in June 1969 when citizens of El Paso County voted to form a junior college district and elected a board of seven trustees to administer the college but did not pass a tax or bond to fund the school. Expansion and renovation at Rio Grande was completed in 1980. With academic and vocational programs in place, EPCC became increasingly involved in major community initiatives by establishing the Literacy Center to provide service to the area’s functionally illiterate. Today, the ALPHA Center provides basic adult education and training for employment.

LONE STAR  COLLEGE SYSTEM
www.lonestar.edu

Lone Star College (LSC) is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the nation. Not only great in size, LSC is a key driver and growing contributor to the local and regional economy with an annual economic impact of $3.1 billion. Students rely on LSC for associate degrees, certifications for work in high-demand industries and credits that enable them to transfer anywhere. LSC provides its students with more than 180 programs of study close to home and has an enrollment of 95,000. 

SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
www.sunysuffolk.edu

With approximately 27,000 students enrolled at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood and Riverhead, Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) is the largest community college in New York State. It offers associate in arts, associate in science and associate in applied science degrees, as well as professional certificates in 100 programs of study.  It is also recognized for its athletics programs, student clubs, organizations and support services.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO,
BOOTH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
www.chicagobooth.edu

As part of the University of Chicago, the Booth School of Business shares this world-renowned university’s core values, which shape its distinctive intellectual culture. Seven of its faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for their innovative ideas. It has unmatched faculty, degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents, a global body of more than 50,000 accomplished alumni and strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities. Since 1898, it has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. 

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES
www.lmu.edu

The Jesuit education Loyola Marymount University (LMU) provides is nearly 500 years in the making. Founded in 1911, LMU is a top-ranked Catholic university rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions. It is committed to fostering a diverse academic community rich in opportunities for intellectual engagement and real-world experience. It enrolls an academically ambitious, multicultural and socioeconomically diverse student body. It recruits, retains and supports a diverse faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and creativity.

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
www.depaul.edu

DePaul University, in common with all universities, is dedicated to teaching, research and public service. However, in pursuing its own distinctive purposes, among these three fundamental responsibilities this school places highest priority on programs of instruction and learning. All its curricula emphasizes skills and attitudes that educate students to be lifelong, independent learners. It provides sufficient diversity in curricular offerings, personal advisement, student services and extracurricular activities to serve students who vary in age, ability, experience and career interests. Full-time and part-time students are accorded equivalent service and are held to the same academic standards.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
www.pgcc.edu

Since 1958, Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) has provided students, the county and the region with high quality and affordable education, a cutting-edge workforce and development training and the opportunity to achieve their dreams and aspirations. PGCC serves a diverse population of more than 44,000 students who represent 103 countries throughout the world. The college offers more than 200 academic and workforce development and continuing education programs of study, as well as transfer and scholarship opportunities to four-year colleges and universities. 

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
www.utep.edu

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is well on its way toward becoming the first national research university in the U.S. with a 21st century student demographic. UTEP boasts many points of pride including its growing enrollment, which has surpassed the milestone number of more than 23,000 students.  UTEP ranks first nationally in the number of Hispanic graduates in mathematics and statistics, engineering and education, as well as third among all U.S. colleges and universities in the total number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics in all academic disciplines.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, RIO GRANDE VALLEY
www.utrgv.edu

The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 in a historic move that brings together the resources and assets of the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas-Pan American and for the first time makes it possible for residents of the Rio Grande Valley to benefit from the Permanent University Fund—a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M University System. The new university will also be home to a school of medicine and will transform Texas and the nation by becoming a leader in student success, teaching, research and health care. 

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
STATE UNIVERSITY
www.semo.edu

Southeast Missouri State University, is a public, accredited university located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, near the banks of the Mississippi River. The institution, having started as a normal school, has a traditional strength in teacher education. The recent addition of the River Campus, housing the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, has increased the university’s commitment to education in the arts. As a comprehensive institution, it offers over 200 areas of study, including undergraduate degrees, as well as master’s degrees and a cooperative Ed.D. program with the University of Missouri. 

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
www.txstate.edu

Texas State University’s 38,849 students can choose from 98 bachelor’s, 90 master’s and 12 doctoral degree programs offered by the following colleges: applied arts, McCoy College of Business Administration, education, fine arts and communication, health professions, liberal arts, science and engineering, University College and The Graduate College. As an Emerging Research University, it offers opportunities for discovery and innovation. Its students come from around the globe, and its student body is diverse—48 percent are ethnic minorities.

STATE UNIVERSITY OF
NEW YORK (SUNY) AT OSWEGO
www.oswego.edu

With a student body of nearly 8,000 students, the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego offers more than 110 programs of study, yet it is small enough for students to form quality relationships with each other and caring faculty. It stresses quality education and experience inside and outside the classroom on its scenic, 690-acre lakeside campus. Students pursue programs in the college of liberal arts and sciences; school of business; school of communication, media and the arts; and school of education—as well as innovative interdisciplinary programs, internships and study-abroad opportunities.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
www.admissions.upenn.edu

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) students develop the intellectual connections they need to thrive in an ever-changing and complex world. Working with faculty across a flexible curriculum spanning four undergraduate and 12 graduate schools, students develop adaptable, well-rounded minds. The physical proximity of the university’s resources make thinking and learning between departments and disciplines a part of everyday life at UPenn. From innovative dual degree programs that defy traditional academic boundaries to rigorous grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, UPenn is fueled by an open and endless exchange of ideas.