Latino Educational Enrollment and Attainment Levels in New York City

Introduction: This study examines educational attainment rates among racial/ethnic groups in the US and New York City as of 2000 – particularly Latinos. Methods: Data on Latinos and other racial/ethnic groups were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, reorganized for public use by the Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, IPUMSusa. Cases in the dataset were weighted and analyzed to produce population estimates. Results: Statistics show that close to 50% of the Asian and White populations between 18 and 24 years of age are enrolled in undergraduate programs. Enrollment for Blacks and Latinos in respective populations of the same age group, however, is below 30%. Of the four primary groups, Latinos are enrolled at the lowest percentage at 23.4% of 18 to 24 year-old age group. Data on enrollment among the Latino nationalities reveal that Cubans (36.8%), Colombians (36%), and Peruvians (34.6%) show significantly higher proportional enrolment than older, more established migrant groups, such as Puerto Ricans (21.7%) and Dominicans (27.8%) Discussion: The data presented in this report reveal interesting disparities in enrollment and educational attainment levels by ethnicity and Latino nationality and lead to the following questions: - Why are newer groups, such as Cubans, Colombians, and Peruvians, enrolled in college at higher levels than older more established groups, such as Puerto Ricans and Dominicans? - Why are so few Mexicans in New York City enrolling in college? - Why is there greater disparity in enrollment between males and females among Latinos and Blacks, with females enrolled at higher percentages even while these groups show lower enrollment overall? - Why are Cuban males the only ones who enroll at higher levels than females within the same nationality and yet Cuban females reflect a much higher level of Bachelor’s degree attainment