by our College Data Analytics Team
[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong modern languages education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 88 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for modern languages students.
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The modern languages program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Modern Languages 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
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Modern Languages Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in modern languages, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Santa Monica College, our #1 best value for modern languages in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for modern languages. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $19,912. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $30,205. That is a strong return on a $19,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $6,382. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Golden West College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #6 for value in modern languages this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
California State University Northridge ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $21,501 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #8 for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Long Beach City College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the modern languages program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #11 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in modern languages this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $28,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Houston Community College earned the #14 position for value in modern languages this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #15 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #16 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $24,658. Set against $17,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
American River College placed #17 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,125 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $27,720. That is a strong return on a $19,125 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia placed #19 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,315 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $32,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Fresno City College earned the #20 position for value in modern languages this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University landed the #21 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $24,530. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $44,360. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #23 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Blinn College landed the #24 spot for modern languages value this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Fort Hays State University placed #25 among the best values for modern languages. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for modern languages this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Modern Languages. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled 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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.