2027 Best Value Linguistics Schools in Illinois

[Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for linguistics students.
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2027 Best Value Linguistics Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Linguistics Schools
Leading the list is Southern Illinois University Carbondale, our #1 best value for linguistics in Illinois. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $25,921. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Benedictine University earned it the #4 place for linguistics. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northwestern University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.