2027 Best Value French Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[French Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/french-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong french studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for french studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value French Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the french studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value French Studies Schools
University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value french studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,922 to complete the french studies program here. Early-career french studies graduates make about $65,681. Set against $14,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Bowdoin College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in french studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the french studies program here. Soon after graduation, french studies degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $45,315. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of California Davis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value french studies schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. French Studies graduates carry a median of $14,167 in student loans. Early-career french studies graduates make about $21,527. Set against $14,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #4 place for french studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. French Studies graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Early-career french studies graduates make about $29,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Wellesley College one of the best values for french studies. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Typical student debt for french studies graduates is $9,525. French Studies graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $43,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Brown University placed #6 among the best values for french studies. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. French Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. French Studies graduates of Brown University earn a median of $39,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College landed the #7 spot for french studies value this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. French Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $34,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College placed #8 among the best values for french studies. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Typical student debt for french studies graduates is $16,520. Early-career french studies graduates make about $81,992. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Duke University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value french studies schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the french studies program here. Early-career french studies graduates make about $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value french studies schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Typical student debt for french studies graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, french studies degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Brandeis University came in at #11 for value in french studies this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Typical student debt for french studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career french studies graduates make about $43,748. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
New York University earned the #12 position for value in french studies this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for french studies graduates is $19,250. French Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $51,233 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
American University came in at #13 for value in french studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. French Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. French Studies graduates of American University earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Fordham University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value french studies schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Students borrow a median of $26,884 to complete the french studies program here. French Studies graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $40,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Other French Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value French Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All French Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
