2027 Best Value Language Translation Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Language Translation](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/language-interpretation-translation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for language translation students.
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2027 Best Value Language Translation Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the language translation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Language Translation Schools
For return on investment in language translation, no school beat University Of North Georgia this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $24,315. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $32,521. Set against $24,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for language translation. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the language translation program here. Early-career language translation graduates make about $18,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in language translation will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $15,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $15,124 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a great value for students pursuing a degree in language translation, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $9,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for language translation. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the language translation program here. Language Translation graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $25,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $16,833. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $30,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #7 among the best values for language translation. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,621 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $34,279. Set against $11,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #8 position for value in language translation this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the language translation program here. Language Translation graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #9 among the best values for language translation. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,479 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $25,285. That is a strong return on a $25,479 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career language translation graduates make about $44,369. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #11 position for value in language translation this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $18,635. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in language translation this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $20,096 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University placed #13 among the best values for language translation. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $23,267 to complete the language translation program here. Language Translation graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,267 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $20,612 in student loans. Early-career language translation graduates make about $49,826. Set against $20,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #15 position for value in language translation this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career language translation graduates make about $29,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #16 spot for language translation value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $24,915 to complete the language translation program here. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $24,271. Early-career language translation graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #18 position for value in language translation this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the language translation program here. Language Translation graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $26,353 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, language translation degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $20,334. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #20 among the best values for language translation. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value language translation schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for language translation graduates is $26,000. Language Translation graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $30,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Connecticut placed #22 among the best values for language translation. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Rochester came in at #23 for value in language translation this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Language Translation graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Language Translation graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Southern California placed #24 among the best values for language translation. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the language translation program here. Language Translation graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Other Language Translation Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Language Translation rankings across degree levels:
View All Language Translation 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.