Applied Linguistics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for applied linguistics students pursuing a degree.
Where you study applied linguistics matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Applied Linguistics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Applied Linguistics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Applied Linguistics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Ohio University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in applied linguistics. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 20 applied linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied linguistics program make about $49,736 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree.
See the full applied linguistics program report for Ohio University Main Campus
University Of California Santa Cruz is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 applied linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $21,793 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,491.
Read more about the applied linguistics program at University Of California Santa Cruz
Students looking for a strong applied linguistics program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #3. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 28 applied linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $59,206. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236.
Read more about the applied linguistics program at University Of Massachusetts Boston
University Of Oregon came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best applied linguistics schools. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Oregon awarded about 10 applied linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from University Of Oregon earn around $23,615 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in applied linguistics from University Of Oregon
Texas A And M University Commerce is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. About 43% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University Commerce awarded about 21 applied linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from Texas A And M University Commerce earn around $54,201 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,796.
Read more about the applied linguistics program at Texas A And M University Commerce
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best applied linguistics schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 applied linguistics students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Applied Linguistics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,720 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,125.
More information about a degree in applied linguistics from New Mexico State University Main Campus
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.
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).
