by our College Data Analytics TeamRomance Languages is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 157 schools to find the best for romance languages students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall romance languages education in California.
No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for romance languages. 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. San Jose State University awarded about 13 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in romance languages from San Jose State University
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for romance languages. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 57 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their romance languages degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $40,818 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,593. Get the full romance languages details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in romance languages, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 romance languages degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their romance languages degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $35,635 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,261. Get the full romance languages details for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best romance languages schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 17 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,380. See the full romance languages program report for University Of Southern California
California State University Stanislaus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best romance languages schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 24 romance languages degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. Romance Languages graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. California State University Stanislaus graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in romance languages from California State University Stanislaus
University Of California Irvine earned the #6 position for romance languages this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Romance Languages graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $36,692 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the romance languages program at University Of California Irvine
University Of California Merced ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best romance languages schools. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 13 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Merced in the most recent data year. Graduates of the romance languages program make about $42,071 in their early career. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. See the full romance languages program report for University Of California Merced
University Of California Los Angeles placed #8 among the best romance languages schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 36 romance languages degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $26,966. Typical student debt for the program is $14,752. More information about a degree in romance languages from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Davis earned the #9 position for romance languages this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Romance Languages graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $29,330 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,171. See the full romance languages program report for University Of California Davis
Chapman University landed the #10 spot for romance languages this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 10 romance languages degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the romance languages program make about $36,546 in their early career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full romance languages details for Chapman University
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #11 for romance languages this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 12 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Students who receive their romance languages degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $49,032 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $14,622 in student loans. Get the full romance languages details for California State University Monterey Bay
Sonoma State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best romance languages schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 19 romance languages degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $36,237. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Read more about the romance languages program at Sonoma State University
California State University Fullerton landed the #13 spot for romance languages this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their romance languages degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,480. See the full romance languages program report for California State University Fullerton
California State University Northridge landed the #14 spot for romance languages this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Northridge awarded about 27 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their romance languages degree from California State University Northridge earn around $48,437 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,184. See the full romance languages program report for California State University Northridge
California State University San Bernardino placed #15 among the best romance languages schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 romance languages degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $18,490. Students borrow a median of $10,967 to complete this degree. Read more about the romance languages program at California State University San Bernardino
Mount St Marys College came in at #16 for romance languages this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at Mount St Marys College in the most recent data year. Romance Languages graduates of Mount St Marys College earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,555 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in romance languages from Mount St Marys College
California State University Bakersfield landed the #17 spot for romance languages this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. California State University Bakersfield awarded about 32 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. See the full romance languages program report for California State University Bakersfield
California State University Sacramento came in at #18 for romance languages this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 34 romance languages degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $34,117. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. More information about a degree in romance languages from California State University Sacramento
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best romance languages schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 26 romance languages degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Romance Languages graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. See the full romance languages program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
University Of California Riverside placed #20 among the best romance languages schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 42 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. Romance Languages graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $24,453 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the romance languages program at University Of California Riverside
California State University Fresno ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best romance languages schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Romance Languages graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $20,070 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,250. Read more about the romance languages program at California State University Fresno
California State University Chico came in at #22 for romance languages this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 romance languages students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Romance Languages graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $22,917 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,200 to complete this degree. See the full romance languages program report for California State University Chico
San Francisco State University came in at #23 for romance languages this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 16 romance languages degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $25,242. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. See the full romance languages program report for San Francisco State University
California State University Long Beach came in at #24 for romance languages this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 46 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their romance languages degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $21,609 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Read more about the romance languages program at California State University Long Beach
San Diego State University earned the #25 position for romance languages this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 71 romance languages degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the romance languages program make about $28,182 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,957. Read more about the romance languages program at San Diego State University
These schools also placed among the best for romance languages this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 157 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
