2027 Best Value Modern Languages Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong modern languages education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value modern languages schools.
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2027 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the modern languages degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Modern Languages Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,912 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $30,205. That is a strong return on a $19,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $16,202. Modern Languages graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $21,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #3 place for modern languages. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $24,323. Modern Languages graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $28,658. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for modern languages. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #6 for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $24,658. Set against $17,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for modern languages value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $19,125 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $27,720. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia earned the #8 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $24,315. Modern Languages graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $32,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,315 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University placed #9 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $44,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Truman State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #11 among the best values for modern languages. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $5,500. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Fort Hays State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Portland State University landed the #13 spot for modern languages value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,671 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,414 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,058. That is a strong return on a $26,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #15 among the best values for modern languages. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $21,999. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #17 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $29,250. Modern Languages graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #19 position for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $38,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #20 for value in modern languages this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,833 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $55,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #21 position for value in modern languages this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $33,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #22 position for value in modern languages this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $17,580. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #23 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $21,187 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $34,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Memphis placed #24 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $23,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #25 for value in modern languages this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $25,924 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Modern Languages Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in modern languages:
Other Modern Languages Degree Levels
Explore the best-value modern languages schools at other degree levels:
View All Modern Languages Rankings >
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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
