2026 Best Latino Studies Schools in California
Latino Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their latino studies programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for latino studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Latino Studies in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the latino studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Latino Studies
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 school for latino studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 latino studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their latino studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $34,559 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,740 to complete this degree.
Read more about the latino studies program at University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong latino studies program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #2. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 latino studies degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full latino studies details for San Jose State University
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in latino studies, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 24 latino studies degrees in the most recent data year. Latino Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $32,341 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans.
See the full latino studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of California Davis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best latino studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 latino studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their latino studies degree from University Of California Davis earn around $32,563 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,155.
Read more about the latino studies program at University Of California Davis
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the top schools for latino studies. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 latino studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Latino Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $31,140 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,747 to complete this degree.
See the full latino studies program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best latino studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 44 latino studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the latino studies program make about $37,581 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full latino studies details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Irvine placed #7 among the best latino studies schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 12 latino studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,712. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $18,998 in student loans.
See the full latino studies program report for University Of California Irvine
Sonoma State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best latino studies schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 10 latino studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their latino studies degree from Sonoma State University earn around $35,263 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187.
Read more about the latino studies program at Sonoma State University
California State University Long Beach placed #9 among the best latino studies schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 latino studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $27,726. Typical student debt for the program is $12,187.
See the full latino studies program report for California State University Long Beach
California State University Northridge came in at #10 for latino studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 24 latino studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the latino studies program make about $26,767 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full latino studies program report for California State University Northridge
San Diego State University landed the #11 spot for latino studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 latino studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their latino studies degree from San Diego State University earn around $29,267 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,499.
More information about a degree in latino studies from San Diego State University
California State University Los Angeles came in at #12 for latino studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 20 latino studies degrees were awarded at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, latino studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $27,058. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
Get the full latino studies details for California State University Los Angeles
More Latino Studies Rankings
View All Latino Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 schools evaluated.
- 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.