2027 Best Value Language Translation Schools
[Language Translation](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/language-interpretation-translation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong language translation education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for language translation students.
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Finding the Best Value Language Translation School for You
Where you study language translation affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Language Translation Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Language Translation Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Language Translation Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in language translation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Language Translation Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for language translation in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the language translation program here. Early-career language translation graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for language translation. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career language translation graduates make about $26,246. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in language translation will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the language translation program here. Early-career language translation graduates make about $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #4 place for language translation. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Sampson Community College one of the best values for language translation. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #7 spot for language translation value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #8 spot for language translation value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #9 among the best values for language translation. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College landed the #10 spot for language translation value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $12,643. Early-career language translation graduates make about $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College earned the #11 position for value in language translation this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $9,537. Early-career language translation graduates make about $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #12 for value in language translation this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College earned the #13 position for value in language translation this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the language translation program here. Language Translation graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #14 position for value in language translation this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $7,947. Early-career language translation graduates make about $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia placed #15 among the best values for language translation. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $24,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $32,521. That is a strong return on a $24,315 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,393. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #17 among the best values for language translation. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #18 for value in language translation this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $15,124 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $15,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #19 position for value in language translation this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Century College landed the #20 spot for language translation value this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $21,332. Early-career language translation graduates make about $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Evergreen Valley College came in at #21 for value in language translation this year. Set in the city of San Jose, Evergreen Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,366 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,718 for out-of-state students. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $12,981 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of Evergreen Valley College earn a median of $82,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,981 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #22 position for value in language translation this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #23 spot for language translation value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $19,500. Language Translation graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,833 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $30,895. That is a strong return on a $16,833 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #25 spot for language translation value this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Early-career language translation graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Language Translation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in language translation:
Narrow Language Translation Schools by Region
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Language Translation. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
