2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in Illinois

1

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools in Illinois. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.

2

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #4 place for foreign languages & linguistics. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $17,559. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $40,586. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,092. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $33,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

7

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #7 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

8

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #8 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $25,921. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #9 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $22,375. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $49,448. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,338 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $54,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

11

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $26,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $37,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.

12

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #12 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $22,698. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.