[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong foreign languages & linguistics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 379 schools to find the best return on investment for foreign languages & linguistics students.
Finding the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics School for You
The foreign languages & linguistics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in foreign languages & linguistics, no school beat Cuny Lehman College this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $8,617. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $35,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $34,653. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $15,523 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,463. That is a strong return on a $15,523 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #5 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $12,654 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $18,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #6 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #7 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $37,442. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Durham Technical Community College placed #8 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $26,246. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
University Of Florida earned the #9 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,127 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $28,689. Set against $15,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Tarrant County College District came in at #10 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Santa Ana College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $11,196. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #13 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus placed #14 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #15 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $20,433. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #16 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,184 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $21,501 early in their careers. Set against $15,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #18 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $10,742. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,742 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Irvine Valley College landed the #19 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #20 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #21 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #24 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $11,149. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Modesto Junior College came in at #25 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in foreign languages & linguistics:
This ranking is produced 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 · 379 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 379 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).
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong foreign languages & linguistics education at a price that pays off.
