2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in California
[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for modern languages students.
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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in modern languages, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Modern Languages Schools
Our analysis ranked Golden West College the best value for a degree in modern languages in California. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #2 place for modern languages. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $9,384. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in modern languages will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #4. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in modern languages will find it at American River College, which ranked #5. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College landed the #6 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. 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 placed #8 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
University Of California Riverside landed the #9 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $20,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #10 among the best values for modern languages. 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. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $17,491. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. Set against $17,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Occidental College came in at #11 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. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $22,967. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $41,514. That is a strong return on a $22,967 median debt. Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants.
More Modern Languages Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
