The magazine's annual ranking of the "Top 100" institutions for Hispanics, based on degrees awarded to Latinos, appears in its May 5 issue.

"We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in providing a quality educational experience for everyone, particularly Hispanics," said Harry Hellenbrand, CSUN's provost and vice president of academic affairs. "Cal State Northridge has a strong tradition and commitment to serving students from traditionally underrepresented communities. The rich diversity of our campus reflects those efforts."

Northridge ranked eighth in the nation among colleges and universities that awarded bachelor's degrees to Hispanics. Northridge ranked ninth in the number of master's degrees it awarded Hispanics.

The university also was ninth in the nation for enrolling the most Hispanics, with Latinos accounting for 28 percent of the 34,560 students attending the university in 2006.

Hispanic Outlook based its rankings on information made available by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics for 2006 and 2007.

The magazine also ranked Northridge fourth in the nation in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanics majoring in psychology; fifth in Hispanic studies, sixth in visual and performing arts, eighth in English literature, ninth in communications, ninth in area studies and tenth in business and marketing.

California State University, Northridge this year is celebrating "50 years of life-changing opportunities." The university has more than 35,200 full- and part-time students and offers 60 bachelor's and 52 master's degrees as well as 28 teaching credential programs.

Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.