2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Southwest Region
[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for linguistics & comparative literature students.
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2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in linguistics & comparative literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
For return on investment in linguistics & comparative literature, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $10,655. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #2 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $19,125. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $27,720. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $16,502 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $26,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $16,465. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #7 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #8 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,796. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Mesa Community College placed #9 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #10 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $16,833. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $30,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University came in at #11 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $38,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #12 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $27,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #13 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,824 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $20,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,824 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #14 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #15 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,156. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $31,993. That is a strong return on a $23,156 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas Tech University placed #16 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $24,271. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,892 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $32,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
