[Latin American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/latin-american-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 173 schools to find the best return on investment for latin american studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Latin American Studies School for You
The right latin american studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Latin American Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Latin American Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for latin american studies in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the latin american studies program here. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in latin american studies will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the latin american studies program here. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Latin American Studies graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in latin american studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #4. 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. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in latin american studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $11,300. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Set against $11,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the latin american studies program here. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #7 for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the latin american studies program here. Latin American Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $31,955 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #8 position for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,922 in student loans. Latin American Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $43,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #9 position for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $14,972. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,972 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #10 spot for latin american studies value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the latin american studies program here. Latin American Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #11 for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $20,115. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #12 for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the latin american studies program here. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $23,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #13 position for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $10,236. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $37,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #14 for value in latin american studies this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,710 to complete the latin american studies program here. Latin American Studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,710 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #15 spot for latin american studies value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $21,544 in student loans. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $19,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $24,699. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #17 spot for latin american studies value this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $22,574. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $22,050. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $24,332. That is a strong return on a $22,050 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Amherst College landed the #20 spot for latin american studies value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $49,149. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value latin american studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Arizona came in at #22 for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $24,500. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $31,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for latin american studies. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $24,395 in student loans. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Set against $24,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Chicago came in at #25 for value in latin american studies this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Latin American Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s latin american studies value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 173 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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).
[Latin American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/latin-american-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
