2026 Best Linguistics Schools in the Far Western Region
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 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for linguistics students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Linguistics in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall linguistics education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Linguistics
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year for linguistics. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 21 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
Read more about the linguistics program at Stanford University
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 30 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,524 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Read more about the linguistics program at University Of California Los Angeles
Students looking for a strong linguistics program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Read more about the linguistics program at San Jose State University
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 11 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Read more about the linguistics program at University Of Southern California
University Of California Santa Barbara is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 63 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $27,629 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,100.
See the full linguistics program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of California Berkeley ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 45 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $25,059. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
Read more about the linguistics program at University Of California Berkeley
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for linguistics this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 43 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $65,681 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #8 among the best linguistics schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 48 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Linguistics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $21,793 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $17,491 in student loans.
More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of California Davis landed the #9 spot for linguistics this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 32 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of California Davis earn around $22,965 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,079.
Get the full linguistics details for University Of California Davis
California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $21,501 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans.
Read more about the linguistics program at California State University Northridge
University Of California Riverside placed #11 among the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $20,212 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete this degree.
See the full linguistics program report for University Of California Riverside
California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 linguistics degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $18,393 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,580.
More information about a degree in linguistics from California State University Long Beach
California State University Fresno came in at #13 for linguistics this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from California State University Fresno earn around $49,502 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree.
Read more about the linguistics program at California State University Fresno
California State University Fullerton placed #14 among the best linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 16 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $22,723 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans.
See the full linguistics program report for California State University Fullerton
San Diego State University landed the #15 spot for linguistics this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 23 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $22,001 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in linguistics from San Diego State University
Western Washington University placed #16 among the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 28 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $24,232. Students borrow a median of $19,899 to complete this degree.
Read more about the linguistics program at Western Washington University
University Of Oregon came in at #17 for linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $23,615 in their early career. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $23,187 in student loans.
Get the full linguistics details for University Of Oregon
Pasadena City College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. About 14 linguistics degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $38,841 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in linguistics from Pasadena City College
Long Beach City College placed #19 among the best linguistics schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Long Beach City College awarded about 13 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
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Portland State University came in at #20 for linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Portland. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $47,717 in their early career. Portland State University graduates carry a median of $29,671 in student loans.
More information about a degree in linguistics from Portland State University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 37 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.