2026 Best Value Latin American Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

[Latin American Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/latin-american-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong latin american studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for latin american studies students.
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2026 Best Value Latin American Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the best value for a degree in latin american studies in the Far Western Region. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values 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. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, latin american studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for latin american studies. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $11,300 to complete the latin american studies program here. Latin American Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in latin american studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the latin american studies program here. Latin American Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for latin american studies. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $14,922. Latin American Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $43,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,922 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for latin american studies value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $17,746. Early-career latin american studies graduates make about $23,819. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #7 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. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Latin American Studies graduates carry a median of $14,972 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Western Washington University earned the #8 position for value in latin american studies this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $15,655. Latin American Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $33,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Southern California placed #9 among the best values for latin american studies. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $15,625. Latin American Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Francisco landed the #10 spot for latin american studies value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,522. Typical student debt for latin american studies graduates is $23,935. 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. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.