2026 Best Value Latino Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
[Latino Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/latino-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for latino studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Latino Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the latino studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Latino Studies Schools
For return on investment in latino studies, no school beat California State University Fresno this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Latino Studies graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Latino Studies graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #2 place for latino studies. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for latino studies graduates is $15,886. Latino Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in latino studies will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Latino Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanford University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value latino studies schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the latino studies program here. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value latino studies schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the latino studies program here. Latino Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $26,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in latino studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,187 to complete the latino studies program here. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. Set against $12,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for latino studies. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the latino studies program here. Latino Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $27,058 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for value in latino studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,998 to complete the latino studies program here. Latino Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $26,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,998 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #9 among the best values for latino studies. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for latino studies graduates is $17,875. Early-career latino studies graduates make about $31,001. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #10 for value in latino studies this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value latino studies schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Latino Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Latino Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $31,443 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Sonoma State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value latino studies schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. Latino Studies graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Latino Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $35,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University earned the #13 position for value in latino studies this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the latino studies program here. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot for latino studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the latino studies program here. Latino Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $32,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #15 position for value in latino studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the latino studies program here. Early-career latino studies graduates make about $37,581. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #16 spot for latino studies value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete the latino studies program here. Latino Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $34,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
California State University Chico earned the #17 position for value in latino studies this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Latino Studies graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $45,591. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of California Davis landed the #18 spot for latino studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,155 to complete the latino studies program here. Early-career latino studies graduates make about $32,563. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #19 spot for latino studies value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Latino Studies graduates carry a median of $20,499 in student loans. Early-career latino studies graduates make about $29,267. Set against $20,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #20 for value in latino studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for latino studies graduates is $19,747. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $31,140. Set against $19,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Laney College came in at #21 for value in latino studies this year. Located in the city of Oakland, Laney College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,258, compared with $9,898 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,282.
University Of Southern California landed the #22 spot for latino studies value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for latino studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Loyola Marymount University came in at #23 for value in latino studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,149 to complete the latino studies program here. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $26,868. That is a strong return on a $23,149 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
