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2027 Best Value Applied Linguistics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

12 Colleges in the United States
$21,255 Avg Student Debt
$61,605 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Applied Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Badge [Applied Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/applied-linguistics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied linguistics education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for applied linguistics students.

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2027 Best Value Applied Linguistics Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Applied Linguistics Schools

1
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in applied linguistics in the United States. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Applied Linguistics graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for applied linguistics. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied linguistics graduates is $19,125. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $27,720. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for applied linguistics. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Applied Linguistics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in applied linguistics will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for applied linguistics graduates is $19,500. Applied Linguistics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,921 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned it the #5 place for applied linguistics. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for applied linguistics graduates is $25,479. Applied Linguistics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Alaska Anchorage earned the #6 position for value in applied linguistics this year. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public school located in the city of Anchorage. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Typical student debt for applied linguistics graduates is $21,787. Applied Linguistics graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $59,053 early in their careers. Set against $21,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for value in applied linguistics this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career applied linguistics graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Arizona came in at #8 for value in applied linguistics this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career applied linguistics graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value applied linguistics schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Early-career applied linguistics graduates make about $29,830. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

10

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #10 spot for applied linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $17,491 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $21,793. Set against $17,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

11
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #11 for value in applied linguistics this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for applied linguistics graduates is $23,608. Applied Linguistics graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Oregon landed the #12 spot for applied linguistics value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $23,615. That is a strong return on a $23,187 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

Other Applied Linguistics Degree Levels

Explore the best-value applied linguistics schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Applied Linguistics
Master's Degrees in Applied Linguistics

View All Applied Linguistics Rankings >

Notes and References

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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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