2026 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong linguistics & comparative literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 76 schools to find the best return on investment for linguistics & comparative literature students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in linguistics & comparative literature, no school beat Elgin Community College this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned it the #4 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $18,296. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #6 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,124 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $27,699. Set against $15,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Oakland University landed the #8 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #10 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $18,635 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $52,123. Set against $18,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wayne State University came in at #11 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,924 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $20,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #12 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,096 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $27,788. That is a strong return on a $20,096 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #15 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,479 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $34,935. Set against $25,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #16 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $25,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Chicago earned the #17 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #18 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,915 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,915 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #19 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Benedictine University earned the #20 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $25,338. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
Cedarville University earned the #21 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Oberlin College landed the #22 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
