Finding the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics School for You
The right foreign languages & linguistics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the foreign languages & linguistics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in foreign languages & linguistics in the United States. 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 $29,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $8,617 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $35,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $12,157. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $34,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $20,408. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $26,246 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,654 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $18,490. That is a strong return on a $12,654 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,127 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $28,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,127 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #9 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #10 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,742 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,723 early in their careers. Set against $10,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #11 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $9,384. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #12 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #13 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
De Anza College earned the #14 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #15 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $9,191. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #17 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Golden West College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,500. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #19 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #20 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #21 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $14,430. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $20,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #22 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #23 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #24 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College came in at #25 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for foreign languages & linguistics this year:
Narrow Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools by Region
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1299 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 217 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.
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
