[Classical Languages & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/classical-languages-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong classical languages & literature education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for classical languages & literature students.
Finding the Best Value Classical Languages & Literature School for You
The classical languages & literature program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Classical Languages & Literature Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Classical Languages & Literature Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in classical languages & literature in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for classical languages & literature graduates is $10,888. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in classical languages & literature will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the classical languages & literature program here. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned it the #3 place for classical languages & literature. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Classical Languages & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for classical languages & literature. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,633 to complete the classical languages & literature program here. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in classical languages & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for classical languages & literature graduates is $21,861. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for classical languages & literature value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the classical languages & literature program here. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #7 for value in classical languages & literature this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Classical Languages & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #8 for value in classical languages & literature this year. 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. Typical student debt for classical languages & literature graduates is $21,275. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #9 spot for classical languages & literature value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the classical languages & literature program here. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Yale University came in at #10 for value in classical languages & literature this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for classical languages & literature graduates is $14,357. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #11 position for value in classical languages & literature this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Classical Languages & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns College New Mexico ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value classical languages & literature schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, St Johns College New Mexico is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,514 in tuition and fees. Classical Languages & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $23,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns College New Mexico admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value classical languages & literature schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for classical languages & literature graduates is $24,958. Soon after graduation, classical languages & literature degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in classical languages & literature this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Classical Languages & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,560 in student loans. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Set against $22,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross came in at #15 for value in classical languages & literature this year. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Classical Languages & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,387 in student loans. Classical Languages & Literature graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $51,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
Villanova University placed #16 among the best values for classical languages & literature. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the classical languages & literature program here. Early-career classical languages & literature graduates make about $72,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Narrow Classical Languages & Literature Schools by Region
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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).
[Classical Languages & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/classical-languages-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong classical languages & literature education at a price that pays off.
