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2023 Best Value Colleges for Foreign Languages & Linguistics (Income $0-$30k) in California

26 Ranked Colleges
6,190 Degrees Awarded
$9,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 33,333 people earned their degree in foreign languages and linguistics, making the major the 24th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, foreign languages and linguistics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,172 and had an average of $22,048 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 6,190 foreign languages and linguistics graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,024 and $15,723 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in foreign languages and linguistics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent foreign languages and linguistics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the foreign languages and linguistics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The foreign languages & linguistics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Foreign Languages & Linguistics (Income $0-$30k) in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 337 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at UCLA

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 273 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at University of California - Berkeley

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 258 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $10,006 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at University of California - Davis

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees to 270 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCSB is $10,568 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Foreign Languages & Linguistics at UCSB

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 86 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at University of California - San Diego

6

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Fresno State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $3,859 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at California State University - Fresno

7

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees to 89 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $4,590 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Fullerton Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

8

California State University - Long Beach came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 159 degrees to qualified ’s foreign languages and linguistics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $6,663 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full CSULB Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

9
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 122 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $17,287 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Foreign Languages & Linguistics at University of Southern California

10

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 78 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $6,540 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Foreign Languages & Linguistics at UC Irvine

11

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 132 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,810 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at University of California - Riverside

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 157 degrees to qualified ’s foreign languages and linguistics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full San Diego State University Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

13

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 256 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $11,038 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Santa Cruz Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

14

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

Stan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $4,122 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Stan State Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

15

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Bernardino, California, this fairly large public school awarded 67 degrees to qualified ’s foreign languages and linguistics students in 2020-2021.

CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $5,985 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at California State University - San Bernardino

16

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Sacramento is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 59 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also made our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $8,163 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at Sac State

17

California State University - Northridge ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 74 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also took the #24 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,266 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUN.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

18
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 92 diplomas to qualified ’s foreign languages and linguistics students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k list, SFSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,705 for california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Foreign Languages & Linguistics at San Francisco State University

19

California State University - Chico ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $11,754 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at Chico State

20

California State University - Channel Islands came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Camarillo, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

CSUCI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $12,011 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Channel Islands Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

21
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

Occidental College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 30 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

Oxy also made our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $14,452 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oxy.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Occidental College Foreign Languages & Linguistics Report

22
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Rohnert Park, California that handed out 43 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k list, SSU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,803 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sonoma State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Foreign Languages & Linguistics at SSU

23

With a ranking of #23, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 28 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,397 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUSM.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Foreign Languages & Linguistics at CSUSM

24

With a ranking of #24, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 26 ’s foreign languages and linguistics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,349 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Foreign Languages & Linguistics at Cal Poly Pomona

25
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California

University of San Diego landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s foreign languages and linguistics students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california foreign languages & linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k list, USD has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $21,951 for California Foreign Languages & Linguistics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Foreign Languages & Linguistics at University of San Diego

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