Photo: Sophie Park

For years, economists and more than a few worried parents have argued over whether a liberal arts degree is worth the price.

Not only are public officials questioning state support for the humanities, a growing number of universities, often aided by outside consultants, are now putting many cherished departments—art history, American studies—on the chopping block. They say they are facing headwinds, including students who are fleeing to majors more closely aligned to employment.

It's college application season. And as students across the country prepare to apply, students of color are thinking about how to adjust to the U.S. Supreme Court's narrowed affirmative action rules.

On this episode of Radio Boston, Valeria Serna Lopez of Boston Latin School shares her experience of applying to college in today's new and unfamiliar admissions landscape. Two leaders from organizations focused on helping students access, navigate, and graduate from college join the conversation to discuss how they are now advising students.

For decades, Hispanic enrollment at four-year colleges and universities has been on the rise, and it saw a new high in 2022. But issues with affordability and accessibility continue to make it difficult for many Latino students to remain enrolled.

Child care or adult caregiving responsibilities, mental health concerns, feeling as if they don't belong on campus, and balancing full-time work also make college completion challenging for Latino students, according to recent research.