2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the Far Western Region
[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value modern languages schools.
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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Our analysis ranked Mt San Antonio College the best value for a degree in modern languages in the Far Western Region. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $9,384. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $21,500. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $14,105. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
California State University Northridge placed #7 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $21,501. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Fullerton College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
University Of California Riverside earned the #9 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $17,283 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $20,212 early in their careers. Set against $17,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Portland State University landed the #10 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $29,671. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $29,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #11 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $17,491 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Western Washington University came in at #12 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $19,899 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Occidental College earned the #13 position for value in modern languages this year. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $66,274. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $41,514. Set against $22,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
