Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College has earned the No. 1 spot in the nation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the Washington Monthly 2025 College Rankings report.
Since 2005, Washington Monthly has ranked colleges based on their contributions to the country in three areas: social mobility, research and promoting public service. This year, in collaboration with Excelencia in Education, it also ranked how well Hispanic-Serving Institutions like STC, are serving this increasing population.
“This ranking affirms STC’s commitment to providing access, opportunity and excellence for the students and communities we serve,” said STC President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis. “As a proud HSI, our goal is to always empower our Hispanic population, and all students, with the education, skills and innovation needed to transform their lives and our region. On behalf of STC’s administration and Board of Trustees, we are deeply honored that STC has been recognized as No. 1.”
STC, with a Hispanic student population of 95%, boasts a Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education, earning a recertification from the national, nonprofit organization in 2022 and a ranking for its high performance in serving a large Hispanic population, being named the No. 3 college nationwide and No. 1 in Texas for enrolling and graduating Latinos.
STC has also been recognized for fostering partnerships across the border with its neighbors in Mexico, providing education and training to schools and factories.
“Being an HSI is more than just a designation for STC, it’s our identity; it’s who we are,” said STC Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Matthew Hebbard.
According to an August 2025 Washington Monthly report, Hispanic students make up 80% of increases in degree attainment between 2017 and 2022, with an expected number of Hispanic high school graduates to increase up to 16% by 2041.
“South Texas College is the No. 1 performer in serving a predominately Hispanic population. It focuses heavily on student support services for its many first-generation and English as a Second Language (ESL) students, as well as on hands-on vocational training,” wrote Rob Wolfe, Washington Monthly editor, in his college guide article.
Wolfe added that it’s schools like STC, that offer many concrete lessons about the kinds of programs that best serve Hispanic students.
With an enrollment of nearly 30,000, STC serves Hidalgo and Starr Counties with six campuses and offers more than 130 certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree programs with affordable in-person, online and hybrid courses.
Affordable Degree Guide also currently ranks STC in the Top 20 for having the most affordable associate degree programs in Texas over other local colleges and universities, making it the most affordable in the Rio Grande Valley.
Making college even more accessible, STC has also created the Valley Promise Program, a last-dollar initiative that provides a free education to those who qualify, and JagReconnect, an adult promise program that helps stop-out students return to finish their degree.
“I live by the philosophy of always going beyond our expectations and goals and at STC, we surpass what is expected of us,” said STC Trustee and Board Chair Alejo Salinas Jr., Ph.D. “It is also the efforts of our faculty and staff to work beyond their limits to help students succeed that keeps STC competitive and on the national map. All of this and more makes up the solid foundation that STC is built on…that is what makes us No. 1.”
Solis shares Salinas’ sentiment.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, and together we will continue to set the standard for higher education in the RGV and beyond,” said Solis.
For more information on STC and the programs it offers, visit southtexascollege.edu.
