2027 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Virginia
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for modern languages students.
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2027 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in modern languages, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Modern Languages Schools
Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best value for a degree in modern languages in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $40,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Christopher Newport University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #2 spot this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,094 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at James Madison University earned it the #3 place for modern languages. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $18,398 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $45,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Commonwealth University earned it the #4 place for modern languages. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $30,635. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $37,389. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
More Modern Languages Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
