2027 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 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 Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in linguistics & comparative literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for linguistics & comparative literature in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #2 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $21,999. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics & comparative literature will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. 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. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics & comparative literature will find it at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which ranked #4. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $18,296. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $15,854. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $25,921. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #7 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $25,924. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $20,939. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #8 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value 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. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $25,921. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #10 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $18,635. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #11 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. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $34,935. Set against $25,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo placed #12 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $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 Madison came in at #14 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. 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. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $27,857. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #16 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,915 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $54,166. That is a strong return on a $24,915 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Viterbo University came in at #17 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Viterbo University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,250. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $29,107 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $60,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,107 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #18 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine University came in at #20 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. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $25,338. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Northwestern University earned the #22 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
