2027 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong linguistics & comparative literature education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in linguistics & comparative literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Truman State University earned the #1 spot for value among linguistics & comparative literature schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics & comparative literature will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Century College one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics & comparative literature will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics & comparative literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #6 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $33,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #7 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $20,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #8 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $18,706 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $28,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #9 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $21,500. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $29,830. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #10 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Iowa State University came in at #11 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $24,793. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $25,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,793 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #12 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $19,286 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #13 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Iowa placed #14 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $27,000. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $57,375. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.