2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 133 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for linguistics & comparative literature students.
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2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the linguistics & comparative literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among linguistics & comparative literature schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $10,888. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,912 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $30,205. Set against $19,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $15,833. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,723. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $16,202. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $21,501. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #7 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $28,658. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $17,775 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $24,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $30,524. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $32,756. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia placed #11 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,315 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $32,521. Set against $24,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $19,125. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #13 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $12,580. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $18,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $15,124. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $27,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #15 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Truman State University came in at #16 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #17 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,502 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $26,475. That is a strong return on a $16,502 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Austin Peay State University earned the #18 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $24,530. Linguistics & Comparative Literature 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $14,000. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $25,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University earned the #22 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #23 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $26,414 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,414 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #25 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for linguistics & comparative literature this year:
Other Linguistics & Comparative Literature Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Linguistics & Comparative Literature rankings across degree levels:
View All Linguistics & Comparative Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 133 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 133 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.
