2027 Best Value Applied Linguistics Master’s Degree Schools

[Applied Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/applied-linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value applied linguistics schools.
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2027 Best Value Applied Linguistics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied linguistics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied Linguistics Schools
Texas A And M University Commerce tops our 2027 list of the best value applied linguistics schools in the United States. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Early-career applied linguistics graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,921. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $32,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in applied linguistics will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for applied linguistics graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $59,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for applied linguistics. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Early-career applied linguistics graduates make about $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value applied linguistics schools. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,187 in student loans. Early-career applied linguistics graduates make about $23,615. That is a strong return on a $23,187 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value applied linguistics schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Other Applied Linguistics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Applied Linguistics rankings across degree levels:
View All Applied Linguistics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.