Low Completion Rates of Latinx Community College Students

Abstract

Completion rates for Latinx students are unacceptably lower than White and Asian students (NCES, 2019). Shapiro et al. (2017) reported that the completion rate for Latinx students attending community colleges was 33% while the completion rate was 45% for White students and 44% for Asian students. The purpose of this literature review was to discover the root causes of these low completion rates for Latinx students. Having a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to low success rates can enable community college professionals to take action to improve success outcomes and reduce equity gaps. Based on this systematic literature review of 32 peer-reviewed articles and 6 public scholarship articles, the following root causes emerged: financial barriers, lack of institutional support, educational preparation, psychosocial considerations, and familial and cultural issues. Recommendations for institutional actions are provided.