Cerritos College Tops List for Latino Transfers to CSU and UC Schools

NORWALK, CA – Cerritos College tops the list for Latino-student transfers to California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) campuses. Cerritos College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and boasts a 65 percent Latino student population. According to data from the CSU system, the college ranks second in the state for Mexican-American/Latino student transfers to CSUs. Data published by the UC puts Cerritos College among the top 10 schools to transfer Latinos to UCs.

Transfer from community college to four-year institutions is a critical pathway for Latinos to earn advanced degrees. According to recent research by the Campaign for College Opportunity, 65 percent — the majority of first-time Latino undergraduates — enroll in one of the state’s 112 community colleges.

Cerritos College, located in the heart of Los Angeles County’s Southeast region, serves 23,000 students and provides key resources and award-winning programs that ensure Latino students are successful in transfer, degree attainment and job training, including an active student leadership culture through the college’s Associated Students division, early education programs and initiatives such as:

  • Puente Project – cultural awareness through education
  • iFalcon: Habits of Mind – award-winning education model
  • President's Middle College Scholar's Academy
  • K-16 Bridge Program – an early access to education program targeting high school students
  • Scholars Honors Program
  • TeacherTRAC – award-winning teacher training program

“We are very proud of our ongoing efforts to eliminate the barriers our students face in reaching their educational goals,” says Dr. Linda L. Lacy, president/superintendent, Cerritos College. “We are committed to ensuring that our students are well-equipped with the resources they need to succeed and to empowering them to dream big.”

The college’s 2015 transfer and graduating students were accepted to some of the nation's most respected colleges and universities, including CSU Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, Los Angeles and Northridge; and UCs at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego. Other institutions Cerritos College students will be attending include USC, La Verne, Loyola Marymount University, Chapman University, Arizona State University and University of Hawaii at Manoa, among others.

About Cerritos College
Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 23,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

Featured

  • Photo courtesy of Kraus-Anderson

    Minnesota District Completes $49.7M Addition, Renovation Project

    St. Paul Public Schools in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $49.7-million addition and remodeling project at two district schools, according to a news release.

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.