Rankings / HSI
Most Affordable Hispanic-Serving Institutions
- 50
- Schools
- $45,895
- Avg. Earnings
- 39%
- Avg. Graduation
- $3,303
- Avg. Net Price
- $10,585
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $29,307 to $75,971, a 2.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Canada College delivers the most for the money: roughly $50,087 in median earnings against $32 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Canada College ($32 net price), still posts $50,087 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College graduates 72% of its students, versus a 39% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Santiago Canyon College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.11× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 College of the Sequoias ($39,092 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ($75,971), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Canada College costs $32 a year and College of Staten Island CUNY costs $5,579. Yet their graduates earn $50,087 and $53,501, nowhere near the $5,547 price gap.
- On value, Canada College beats CUNY Bernard M Baruch College: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Canada College and CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $43K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 College of the Sequoias #1 overall | $39,092 ▼ -15% vs avg | $480 | 36% | 92 |
| 2 CUNY Hunter College #2 overall | $63,163 ▲ +38% vs avg | $2,984 | 59% | 91 |
| 3 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College #3 overall | $75,971 ▲ +66% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 91 |
| $58,013 ▲ +26% vs avg | $3,148 | 50% | 90 | |
| $56,195 ▲ +22% vs avg | $3,203 | 56% | 90 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Hispanic-Serving Institutions
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $45,895 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 39% and an average net price of $3,303.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Canada College — Net Price: $32 | Graduation Rate: 48%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — 72% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Median alumni earnings: $75,971
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about Hispanic-Serving Institutions and access?
$43,051
Median earnings (10yr)
37%
Median graduation rate
$3,293
Median net price
3.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Hispanic-Serving Institutions educate a large and fast-growing share of the country’s Latino students, and they are increasingly central to where opportunity is created. Often regional and access-oriented, they carry outsized responsibility for translating enrollment into completion and earnings for first-generation students.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $43,051 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 37%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $3,293 a year with about $9,750 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 36% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 3.7%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that stand out pair broad access with real completion and earnings rather than enrollment alone. With an average 36% Pell share and median earnings of $43,051, these institutions are doing some of the heaviest lifting in American mobility.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
College of the Sequoias lands at #1 with a 92/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $39,092 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $480 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
CUNY Hunter College lands at #2 with a 91/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #3 with a 91/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 66% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
CUNY Lehman College lands at #4 with a 90/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #5
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #5 with a 90/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
College of San Mateo lands at #6 with a 89/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $54,172 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $536 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Joliet Junior College lands at #7 with a 89/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $42,889 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
New Mexico State University-Grants lands at #8 with a 89/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $39,067 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $68 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
CUNY Queens College lands at #9 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,763 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,195 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
San Joaquin Delta College lands at #10 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $43,212 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,407 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
CUNY York College lands at #11 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Moraine Valley Community College lands at #12 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $43,892 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,829 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Texas A & M International University lands at #13 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $48,386 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,637 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
CUNY City College lands at #14 with a 87/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $66,039 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,776 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Victoria College lands at #15 with a 87/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $42,382 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,043 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Santiago Canyon College lands at #16 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (96/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,956 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,129 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
El Paso Community College lands at #17 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,212 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,206 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
College of the Canyons lands at #18 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,022 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,702 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Cerritos College lands at #19 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $41,156 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,424 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
College of the Mainland lands at #20 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,639 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,342 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Canada College lands at #21 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (100/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $50,087 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $32 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Edinburg, TX · 94% accepted · $4,831 net
Why it ranks #22
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley lands at #22 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $49,620 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,831 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Pasadena City College lands at #23 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $43,937 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,864 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Portales, NM · 92% accepted · $4,904 net
Why it ranks #24
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus lands at #24 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,550 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,904 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Los Angeles, CA · 91% accepted · $3,967 net
Why it ranks #25
California State University-Los Angeles lands at #25 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,211 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,967 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Snead State Community College lands at #26 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $35,735 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,249 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Middlesex College lands at #27 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $46,861 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $2,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Lamar State College-Port Arthur lands at #28 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $37,120 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,846 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Saddleback College lands at #29 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $50,874 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,152 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Brooklyn, NY · 80% accepted · $5,127 net
Why it ranks #30
CUNY New York City College of Technology lands at #30 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $49,365 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,127 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Indiana University-Northwest lands at #31 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $43,361 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,130 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Tarrant County College District lands at #32 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,727 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,337 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Texas Southmost College lands at #33 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (37/100). Graduates earn a median $41,900 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,085 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Central New Mexico Community College lands at #34 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $36,869 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,621 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Triton College lands at #35 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $41,728 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,138 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
James Sprunt Community College lands at #36 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (98/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $29,307 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,863 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Dallas College lands at #37 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (38/100). Graduates earn a median $41,714 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,214 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
San Bernardino, CA · 94% accepted · $4,564 net
Why it ranks #38
California State University-San Bernardino lands at #38 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $59,977 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,564 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Santa Monica College lands at #39 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $42,193 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,779 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Kishwaukee College lands at #40 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $39,657 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,574 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
San Diego Miramar College lands at #41 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $48,224 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,337 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Amarillo College lands at #42 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,302 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,600 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
College of Staten Island CUNY lands at #43 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,501 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,579 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Pima Community College lands at #44 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Graduates earn a median $39,810 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,405 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Wharton County Junior College lands at #45 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,960 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,666 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Imperial Valley College lands at #46 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (98/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (23/100). Graduates earn a median $34,487 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,115 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus lands at #47 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by social mobility (36/100). Graduates earn a median $38,550 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,645 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Prairie State College lands at #48 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $36,696 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,738 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Clovis Community College lands at #49 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,020 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,230 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Dalton State College lands at #50 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,251 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,012 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) play a vital role in providing accessible education to a diverse student body. With over 500 HSIs in the country, families are increasingly looking for the most affordable options that also deliver strong outcomes. In this list, we focus on 50 of the most affordable HSIs, highlighting their value in terms of net price, earnings potential, and graduation rates.
What sets the standout schools apart from the rest? It comes down to key outcomes such as post-graduation earnings, completion rates, and manageable debt levels. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these schools are $45,960, with a graduation rate of 40%. This balance of affordability and value is crucial for families weighing their options as they consider the long-term impact of their investment in education.
For example, CUNY Hunter College boasts impressive earnings of $63,163 and a graduation rate of 59%, with a net price of $2,984. In contrast, New Mexico State University-Grants has lower earnings at $39,067, a graduation rate of just 25%, but a much lower net price of $68. Understanding these differences can help families make informed choices about which institution aligns best with their financial situations and career goals.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 28 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.7%. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Lehman College (10.2%) and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (9.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 19.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. El Paso Community College leads at 40.9%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 17.8% across this list. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College posts the highest success rate at 46.8%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.24 against a national benchmark of 1.0. CUNY Queens College reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When we examine the data closely, a clear pattern emerges regarding the performance of these schools. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads with an impressive average earning of $75,971 and a graduation rate of 72%. In contrast, New Mexico State University-Grants, while remarkably affordable with a net price of only $68, faces challenges with a graduation rate of just 25% and lower earnings of $39,067. This comparison highlights how higher graduation rates can significantly affect post-college outcomes, even when initial costs are low.
For families navigating this list of HSIs, it’s essential to weigh these statistics against personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, specific programs offered, and campus culture alongside financial data. A school that fits well with a student’s career aspirations and lifestyle can provide value that goes beyond financial considerations. Aligning educational goals with the right institution can make a significant difference in the long run.
Ultimately, the path from college to stability depends heavily on informed decision-making. For one family, choosing a school with higher graduation rates might lead to better job prospects and a more secure financial future. The choices we make today about education can shape our lives tomorrow, underscoring the importance of careful evaluation of these HSIs.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Hispanic-Serving Institutions ranking? +
College of the Sequoias in Visalia, CA ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Hispanic-Serving Institutions ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $39,092 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 36% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $75,971 ten years after enrollment, well above the $45,895 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Canada College leads: graduates earn a median $50,087 against net price of about $32 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 72%, compared with a 39% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $3,303 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Canada College is among the most affordable at roughly $32. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Hispanic-Serving Institutions ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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