2027 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the Southeast Region

[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 31 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 Southeast 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 University Of Florida the best value for a degree in modern languages in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for modern languages. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $28,658. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #5 place for modern languages. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $32,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia placed #6 among the best values for modern languages. 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. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $32,521. Set against $24,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University landed the #7 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #8 for value in modern languages this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,414 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,058 early in their careers. Set against $26,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #9 for value in modern languages this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #10 position for value in modern languages this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #11 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $25,750. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $23,533 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #12 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $23,324. Modern Languages graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University came in at #13 for value in modern languages this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
East Carolina University came in at #14 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $25,560 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $35,561. Set against $25,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #15 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University came in at #16 for value in modern languages this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $45,444. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #17 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $43,187 early in their careers. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #18 for value in modern languages this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $23,969. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Georgia State University landed the #19 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $23,267. Modern Languages graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $16,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,267 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University placed #20 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $40,105. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #21 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #22 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $20,612 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $31,713. That is a strong return on a $20,612 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky landed the #23 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $26,530 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,530 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University placed #24 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $24,412. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $51,197. That is a strong return on a $24,412 median debt. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Clemson University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $26,112 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $29,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Modern Languages Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s modern languages value ranking:
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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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.