2027 Best Value Linguistics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for linguistics students.
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2027 Best Value Linguistics Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the linguistics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Linguistics Schools
Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in linguistics in the The Plains States Region. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for linguistics. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $18,706. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $28,340. That is a strong return on a $18,706 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $23,608. Linguistics graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #4 place for linguistics. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,793 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $25,065. Set against $24,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $19,286. Linguistics graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $35,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #6 spot for linguistics value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Iowa came in at #7 for value in linguistics this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
