Cerritos College: #1 in California, a national powerhouse for Latino student success

Cerritos College delivers big for students and families, earning the title of #1 in California and #6 in the nation among two-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions, according to the Washington Monthly’s Best Colleges for Hispanic Students ranking, produced with Excelencia in Education. The ranking evaluates colleges on graduation and transfer rates, affordability, faculty diversity, and Seal of Excelencia certification, key indicators of social mobility and student success. The nation is learning what Southeast Los Angeles already knows: Cerritos College delivers results.

This is another massive victory for a college that continues to reach new milestones in student success. In 2024–25, Cerritos College awarded 9,291 degrees and certificates, marking four consecutive years of record-breaking graduations. The college is also a 2025 Examples of Excelencia winner, the nation’s top honor for programs advancing Latino student success, and ranks #1 in Los Angeles County for return on investment (ROI). Cerritos College students recoup their educational costs in just two months and earn a median salary $9,000 higher than peers with only a high school diploma. Together, these achievements send one clear message: Cerritos College is #1.

“This recognition is not just about numbers, it’s about lives changed,” said Dr. Jose Fierro, president/superintendent of Cerritos College. “We are #1 because our students graduate, transfer, and thrive. Cerritos College is leading a movement in public higher education that puts people first and never stops delivering.”

Cerritos College continues to set the standard for what leadership looks like in higher education—bold, focused, and unstoppable.