Excelencia Report Highlights Latino Degree Attainment

A July 2026 report examines college completion rates and workforce trends for Latinos across the United States.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Hispanic

Bold vector editorial illustration of a graduation cap and stack of books, symbolizing academic advancement and professional development for students. — A July 2026 report from Excelencia in Education details the critical need for increased degree attainment among Latinos to support future workforce projections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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On July 21, 2026, Excelencia in Education released a report analyzing Latino degree attainment and labor force participation. The findings emphasize the educational gaps and workforce projections facing the community nationwide.

Why it matters

Latinos represent an increasing share of the U.S. workforce and require credentials to remain competitive, especially as first-generation students face significant financial pressure. Ensuring educational success is critical as Latinos are projected to fill 91% of all net new jobs by 2031.

Nationally, 29% of Latino adults hold an associate degree or higher compared to 49% of White adults. Meanwhile, 51% of Latino college students are the first in their families to pursue a degree.

The players

Excelencia in Education

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to accelerating Latino student success in higher education through research and policy analysis.

The details

Seal-certified institutions, which represent only 1% of U.S. colleges, enroll 15% of Latino students and produce 17% of all Latino degree completers. These schools successfully embed career development into core academics and use real-time student data to intervene before students drop out.

In 2023, 26% of Latinos held management or professional positions.
Excelencia published a workforce fact sheet in March 2026.
The Latino College Completion report was released on July 21, 2026.
By 2031, Latinos are projected to fill 91% of all net new jobs in the country.

Culture Shift

The push for credentialing reflects a transition toward professional specialization for a demographic that will account for 1 in 5 U.S. workers by 2031. This focus follows the framework set by the Seal of Excelencia certification, which tracks institutional progress in supporting Latino degree completion.

Educational attainment directly influences career trajectory, as evidenced by income disparities for those without degrees in regions like New York. Prospective students and families can use these findings to identify institutions that prioritize career development and student retention.

The takeaway

Closing the degree attainment gap is essential for the future economic stability of the growing Latino workforce. Students should prioritize colleges that provide active career guidance and data-driven support systems to improve their chances of graduation.