by our College Data Analytics Team
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for foreign languages & linguistics students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the foreign languages & linguistics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Bay Mills Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools in Michigan. Set in the rural area of Brimley, Bay Mills Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,048 ten years after entry.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $17,496 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $27,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Andrews University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $62,634. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #4. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,859 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. Set against $25,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Valley State University earned it the #5 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,740 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $31,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Western Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,625 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $32,630. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $28,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #8 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,789 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $38,097. That is a strong return on a $24,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.