2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Southeast Region
[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong linguistics & comparative literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for linguistics & comparative literature students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Southeast 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 Florida, our #1 best value for linguistics & comparative literature in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,912 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $30,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics & comparative literature will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $26,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Institute Of Technology 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 Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $28,658. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. 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. 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.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $18,500. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Sampson Community College earned the #7 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia came in at #8 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,315 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $32,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Alamance Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $6,625. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College earned the #10 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $9,537. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #11 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University landed the #12 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $44,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,414 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,058 early in their careers. Set against $26,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $21,187 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $34,856. Set against $21,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #15 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $46,981. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $22,420. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $17,864. Set against $22,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #17 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $23,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $25,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #19 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $53,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #20 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #21 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,916 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $32,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #22 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
East Carolina University landed the #23 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,560 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $35,561. That is a strong return on a $25,560 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Appalachian State University landed the #24 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $23,342 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $24,657. Set against $23,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Tennessee State University placed #25 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $21,301. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for linguistics & comparative literature this year:
Narrow Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools by State
More Linguistics & Comparative Literature Rankings
View All Linguistics & Comparative Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
