Overview

Cerritos College has achieved recognition as the top community college in California and the sixth in the nation for its service to Hispanic students, according to the Washington Monthly’s Best Colleges for Hispanic Students ranking. This accolade highlights the college's efforts in closing equity gaps and enhancing opportunities for Hispanic and first-generation students.

This distinction places Cerritos College among the leading Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the United States, further solidifying its reputation with additional honors, including being named a 2025 Examples of Excelencia honoree.

Key details

  • Cerritos College ranks #1 in California and #6 nationally for serving Hispanic students.
  • The ranking is part of Washington Monthly’s Best Colleges for Hispanic Students report, created with Excelencia in Education.
  • The report focuses on colleges that are effective in closing equity gaps and expanding opportunities for Hispanic and first-generation students.
  • Cerritos College is recognized as one of the top Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the country.
  • The college has received various national honors, including being a 2025 Examples of Excelencia honoree.
  • It is ranked #1 in Los Angeles County for return on investment (ROI).
  • The Washington Monthly analysis used data from 2022, evaluating factors like graduation rates, transfer rates, affordability, and faculty diversity.
  • Out of approximately 615 HSIs nationwide, only 151 provided data for the ranking.
  • Cerritos College awarded a record 9,291 degrees and certificates in the 2024–25 academic year.
  • A study by the College Futures Foundation and The HEA Group found that students recover their educational investment in just two months.
  • Graduates of Cerritos College earn a median salary nearly $9,000 higher than those with only a high school diploma.
  • Dr. Jose Fierro, president/superintendent of Cerritos College, emphasized that the recognition reflects the positive impact on students' lives.

Context

This recognition underscores Cerritos College's commitment to transparency and student success, positioning it as a leader in public higher education focused on affordability, completion, and career outcomes.

What happens next

Cerritos College will likely continue its initiatives to support Hispanic and first-generation students, aiming to maintain its status as a leading institution in higher education.

What we don't know yet

Specific details about the criteria used for ranking and the full list of institutions evaluated have not been disclosed.