2027 Best Value Modern Language Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Modern Language Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/modern-language-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value modern language education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Modern Language Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in modern language education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Modern Language Education Schools
For return on investment in modern language education, no school beat Indiana State University this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the modern language education program here. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern language education, landing the #2 spot this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $21,182 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $51,816. Set against $21,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern language education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the modern language education program here. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in modern language education will find it at Ball State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $24,998. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for modern language education. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $26,336. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $51,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in modern language education this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,282 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #7 position for value in modern language education this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois State University placed #8 among the best values for modern language education. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $24,149. Modern Language Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. Set against $24,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #9 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #10 among the best values for modern language education. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $27,437. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $60,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Calvin College landed the #11 spot for modern language education value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $26,022. Modern Language Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in modern language education this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $26,642 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $46,368. Set against $26,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Elmhurst College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value modern language education schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $46,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Adrian College came in at #14 for value in modern language education this year. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,684. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $30,994 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $30,994 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Findlay landed the #15 spot for modern language education value this year. Set in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,164 in tuition and fees. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $25,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $57,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Miami University Oxford earned the #16 position for value in modern language education this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $24,560. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $46,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value modern language education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $26,910. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $52,130. That is a strong return on a $26,910 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Narrow Modern Language Education Schools by State
More Modern Language Education Rankings
View All Modern Language Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
