2026 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in linguistics & comparative literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Our analysis ranked Mt San Antonio College the best value for a degree in linguistics & comparative literature in California. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes De Anza College one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
American River College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. 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 linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $15,833. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Long Beach City College placed #8 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno placed #9 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $16,202. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $21,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
City College Of San Francisco placed #11 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach placed #12 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Fullerton College placed #13 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
Stanford University earned the #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #15 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $11,205. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jose State University earned the #16 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #17 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $14,100. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $27,629. That is a strong return on a $14,100 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #18 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $17,283. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $20,212. That is a strong return on a $17,283 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #20 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $25,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #21 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,079 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $22,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $22,001. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $17,491 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $21,793 early in their careers. Set against $17,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Southern California earned the #24 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $15,625. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Occidental College came in at #25 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,274. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $41,514. Set against $22,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
