2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Master’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.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools.
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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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in linguistics & comparative literature in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $17,775. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $24,658. Set against $17,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. 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. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $18,393. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University Commerce one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #8 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $11,621. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $34,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,621 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
San Diego State University ranked #9 on our 2027 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. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $22,001 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
West Virginia University came in at #11 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $20,916. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $32,684. That is a strong return on a $20,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Utah placed #12 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,715 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,251 early in their careers. Set against $21,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #13 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $19,250. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $34,099. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Delaware ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #15 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $59,206. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #16 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $23,156 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $31,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #17 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #18 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $17,921. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. 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. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #20 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Benedictine University placed #21 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $54,212. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #22 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $57,375. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Oregon placed #23 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,187. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $23,615. That is a strong return on a $23,187 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #24 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Boston University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in linguistics & comparative literature:
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.