Unfinished journeys: The hidden struggle of Latino men in higher education

Cristian Ulisses Reyes, UnidosUS Higher Education Intern

What does it take to succeed academically? First, we must understand the unique barriers that Latinos face. An UnidosUS initiative aims to meet Latino student needs and create a higher education system where all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Latino college students represent a growing and vital demographic in higher education. According to UnidosUS’s higher education survey, these students are driven by a desire for a well-paying job, a better life for their families and a fulfilling career. Yet, these aspirations often clash with systemic barriers that hinder their educational success. Latino men, in particular, encounter unique challenges that deserve a closer look. 

While the Latino population in the United States and their corresponding college enrollment rates have risen in the last decade, graduation rates for Latino men continue to lag six points behind those of other Latinos, including Latinas. In fact, UnidosUS’s survey further reveals that 68% of Latino men in college or recent graduates considered leaving school, higher than Latino students overall (66%). About a third of Latino men report having left school.  

The barriers that Latino men face are multifaceted. One significant factor is what researchers call familismo — the deeply ingrained cultural value that emphasizes collective family success, often placing a heavy burden on Latino men to provide for their families — both financially and emotionally.  

The pressure to prioritize family well-being over personal academic aspirations can result in Latino men feeling obligated to leave school prematurely to join the workforce, further contributing to their higher dropout rates. The UnidosUS survey found that Latino men were more likely to cite financial worries, including not wanting to take on more debt (76%) and work obligations (74%), as reasons they are considering leaving school than their peers.  

This economic pressure leads many to work long hours in low-paying jobs, leaving little time for studying or engaging fully in campus life — both of which are crucial for success in higher education. The survey found that 83% of Latino males reported having a job while enrolled in college, and a third reported having a full-time job. Without adequate time for academic engagement, many Latinos struggle to keep pace with the rigors of their courses.  

This struggle could worsen if Congress approves a recent proposal to eliminate Pell Grant eligibility for less than half-time students, while also requiring students to take the equivalent of 30 semester hours each year to qualify as a full-time student and receive the maximum Pell Grant. For many students already enrolled in school, taking additional credits to maintain Pell Grant aid is simply not feasible. This proposal is also out of step with the Latino community — 82% of Latinos agree that the federal government should increase maximum Pell Grant funding to provide greater grant-based assistance for students with the highest financial need pursuing education beyond high school. 

The convergence of socioeconomic pressures, cultural expectations and educational disparities creates a perfect storm of challenges that disproportionately affect Latino men. If these barriers are not addressed, the educational and economic prospects of both Latino communities and the broader U.S. workforce will be at risk. To close the graduation gap, policymakers, institutions and advocates must move from awareness to action by implementing targeted policies and programs that address these systemic challenges. 

UnidosUS is doing its part — first, recognizing the unique barriers Latino men face in education and career pathways and second, re-launching its Men of Action initiative to address the specific needs of Latino men. The initiative aims to create a national platform to convene key stakeholders, amplify best practices, address pressing issues to improve outcomes in education and economic mobility, and advocate for policies that close the educational attainment gap for Latino men. 

UnidosUS’s initiative will focus on fostering leadership and building networks of support to reshape how Latino men are seen and supported in educational spaces. Through partnerships with community-based organizations, educational institutions and policymakers, the Men in Action initiative will provide culturally responsive solutions to support Latino men in overcoming socioeconomic pressures, persist through college and achieve long-term success. 

By investing in the success of Latino men, the Men of Action initiative is addressing an equity issue and ensuring a stronger future for Latino communities and the nation’s workforce.