2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Missouri
[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 7 schools to find the best return on investment for modern languages students.
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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in modern languages, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Modern Languages Schools
Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in modern languages in Missouri. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in modern languages will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $29,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $19,286 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $35,409. Set against $19,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
More Modern Languages Rankings
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
