2026 Best Value Latin American Studies Schools in California

[Latin American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/latin-american-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong latin american studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value latin american studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Latin American Studies Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the latin american studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Latin American Studies Schools
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools in California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the latin american studies program here. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for latin american studies. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the latin american studies program here. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $11,300 in student loans. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $11,300 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in latin american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $17,746. Latin American Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $14,972. Latin American Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,972 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #7 for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
University Of San Francisco ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Students borrow a median of $23,935 to complete the latin american studies program here. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.