Most Affordable Hispanic Serving Institutions in California
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- Hispanic-serving institutions in California offer strong academics and support.
- California HSIs have low tuition and fees, allowing more students to attend college.
- Latino resources and organizations can support your education and career.
Hispanic-serving Institutions, or HSIs, offer Hispanic students a strong community as they embark on their academic journeys. Title V of the Higher Education Act defines HSIs as not-for-profit colleges where at least 25% of the full-time undergraduate students are Hispanic.
According to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Schools, HSIs serve 65% of all Hispanic students but make up only 16% of all colleges. They also increase educational success for Hispanic students. Hispanic serving institutions in California offer low-cost opportunities to earn an excellent degree and launch a career.
5 Affordable HSIs in California
California's population is over 40% Hispanic. There are 176 HSIs in California that serve 80% of all undergraduate students in California. Nearly 1.4 million Hispanic students make up 43% of all undergraduate students in California, and 3.2 million Hispanic students are enrolled at California public schools.
The most affordable HSIs in California are minority-serving institutions with strong educational opportunities for students in California and beyond.
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) costs just $6,940 for 24 units over two semesters for residents. For non-residents, the tuition is $9,500. For in-state students, the total annual tuition, plus room and board, books, transportation, health insurance, and personal costs, is around $28,870 per year.
CSUDH has five colleges with degree programs that combine rigorous academics with practical education, including online education.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA - 4 years
- Campus
Cal State Los Angeles costs $8,220 per academic year, or around $24,650 for a three-year program for in-state students. For out-of-state students, the total annual tuition is $17,720, although if you establish residency after the first year, you could reduce the total costs of a degree.
Cal State LA has 60 undergraduate majors and over 100 graduate programs you can choose from, including a number of fully online programs.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
California State University, Fresno, or Fresno State, has one of the lowest tuition options, with total tuition and fees of just $3,490 per semester, or $6980 per year for in-state students. Out-of-state students must pay a non-resident tuition fee of $396 per unit, which would add $11,880 to the total tuition for 30 units.
Fresno State offers a vast array of undergraduate degrees, from African studies to women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, as well as extensive graduate offerings.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) offers low-cost tuition for California and out-of-state students. Base tuition for in-state students is just $5,740 before mandatory fees. Out-of-state students have to pay an additional fee of $400 per semester unit or $260 per quarter unit.
CSUB has over 40 undergraduate and graduate programs ranging from global intelligence and national security to biology, economics, and theater.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
California State University, Stanislaus charges $5,740 for tuition and fees. With transportation, books, living and personal expenses, Stanislaus State estimates students will spend $22,720 to $34,280 total annually.
Stanislaus State offers more than 171 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations along with master's degrees in 14 programs, an executive and online MBA, and Ph.D. programs.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
List of All Hispanic Serving Institutions in California
We've created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit HSIs in California. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Institutions with fewer than 500 undergraduates were not included in this list.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Hispanic Student Population | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | 7,169 | 39.3% | $26,666 | 87% | 3,438 |
| California Lutheran University | 3,615 | 41.4% | $30,416 | 87% | 5,150 |
| California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt | 6,025 | 33.9% | $14,325 | 98% | 8,505 |
| California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | 27,503 | 53.2% | $12,480 | 55% | 49,079 |
| California State University, Bakersfield | 9,613 | 68.3% | $7,521 | 87% | 13,834 |
| California State University, Chico | 14,183 | 38.1% | $15,517 | 95% | 21,417 |
| California State University, Dominguez Hills | 16,426 | 69.6% | $5,068 | 89% | 19,165 |
| California State University, East Bay | 13,673 | 39.3% | $11,464 | 96% | 12,461 |
| California State University, Fresno | 23,999 | 60.7% | $7,507 | 95% | 18,551 |
| California State University, Fullerton | 40,386 | 50.9% | $7,925 | 67% | 48,748 |
| California State University, Long Beach | 38,973 | 50.0% | $9,346 | 40% | 74,718 |
| California State University, Los Angeles | 26,460 | 75.4% | $5,801 | 87% | 33,939 |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | 7,045 | 55.5% | $11,435 | 92% | 12,568 |
| California State University, Northridge | 37,579 | 57.6% | $8,936 | 91% | 25,965 |
| California State University, San Bernardino | 19,803 | 71.9% | $8,805 | 91% | 15,501 |
| California State University, San Marcos | 15,109 | 51.5% | $10,463 | 95% | 14,774 |
| California State University, Stanislaus | 10,154 | 62.6% | $7,555 | 97% | 6,077 |
| Concordia University Irvine | 3,744 | 26.0% | $29,508 | 69% | 3,576 |
| Dominican University of California | 1,877 | 26.2% | $49,907 | 93% | 1,746 |
| Fresno Pacific University | 3,032 | 58.8% | $15,255 | 75% | 832 |
| La Sierra University | 1,614 | 50.1% | $25,076 | 92% | 1,878 |
| Loyola Marymount University | 10,165 | 24.0% | $52,815 | 41% | 21,695 |
| Mount Saint Mary's University | 2,440 | 61.1% | $28,717 | 76% | 2,405 |
| National University | 18,631 | 37.1% | $30,527 | 100% | N/A |
| Saint Mary's College of California | 2,765 | 30.0% | $32,129 | 88% | 3,353 |
| San Diego State University | 37,402 | 36.3% | $13,017 | 39% | 77,250 |
| San Francisco State University | 25,282 | 38.8% | $13,267 | 94% | 29,932 |
| San Jose State University | 35,751 | 31.6% | $14,219 | 77% | 34,002 |
| Sonoma State University | 6,637 | 38.8% | $15,507 | 94% | 10,806 |
| University of California, Irvine | 35,937 | 29.4% | $14,033 | 21% | 119,191 |
| University of California, Merced | 9,103 | 60.0% | $13,549 | 89% | 29,920 |
| University of California, Riverside | 26,809 | 41.2% | $14,487 | 69% | 54,683 |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 26,420 | 28.3% | $16,874 | 26% | 110,995 |
| University of California, Santa Cruz | 19,478 | 29.2% | $17,975 | 47% | 65,912 |
| University of La Verne | 5,662 | 61.5% | $25,103 | 74% | 6,172 |
| University of Redlands | 3,460 | 43.4% | $28,157 | 82% | 3,872 |
| Whittier College | 1,192 | 54.9% | $28,368 | 75% | 3,014 |
| William Jessup University | 1,624 | 20.8% | $27,591 | 66% | 710 |
| Woodbury University | 943 | 41.6% | $32,182 | 63% | 1,460 |
How Much Do Colleges in California Cost?
The average cost of college in California ranges from $8,192 for in-state students at public institutions to $38,477 for private universities. HSIs offer costs comparable to these figures, as many of the low-cost California HSIs are public four-year institutions. You can expect to pay close to the state average to attend an HSI in California.
| Institution Type | Avg. Tuition And Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-Year (In-State) | $8,192 |
| Public 4-Year (Out-of-State) | $8,401 |
| Private 4-Year | $38,477 |
| Public 2-Year (In-State) | $1,285 |
| Public 2-Year (Out-of-State | $8,491 |
Benefits of Attending an HSI in California
Attending an HSI in California can be a smart financial decision. With average tuition and fees rising yearly, California offers some of the most affordable institutions for the quality of education. You could also access scholarships, grants, and other financial aid to reduce the cost of attendance further.
Beyond cost savings, you'll get a world-class education at some of California's best public institutions. You can make lifelong friends while connecting with students who share your history and future career goals. Attending a Hispanic-serving institution in California means you'll get access to counselors and support systems dedicated to helping you succeed in college and beyond.
5 Resources for Hispanic College Students
ALPFA
ALPFA is the first Latino professional organization in the USA, founded in 1972 as a nonprofit organization. It aims to provide professional development workshops and career resources to members. It also offers members scholarships, career fairs, networking events and mentorship opportunities.
Latino Medical Student Association
The Latino Medical Student Association offers support and opportunities to aspiring Latino medical professionals. It also offers mentorship, LMSA scholarships, LMSA leadership positions, and a career website for professionals.
Hispanic Student Services at California Community Colleges
Hispanic Student Services at California Community Colleges aims to offer support services, student organizations and programs to help Hispanic students. With the goal of helping Hispanic students apply to and complete college and enter a rewarding career, this organization can help you overcome any obstacle.
Latino Greek Life
Latino Greek United operates at colleges throughout the US and supports Latino students in Greek Life. These groups can help you integrate with other students to find and build your community at college.
Counseling Services
Most California colleges have a Latino Center or center of services for Latino students. These professional centers give students access to the resources and support needed to thrive in college and reach career goals after graduation.
