by our College Data Analytics Team
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong foreign languages & linguistics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for foreign languages & linguistics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in foreign languages & linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williams College tops our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools in Massachusetts. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $12,615. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $37,968. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $59,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $49,322. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $20,334. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Boston University one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $10,152 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $36,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Mount Holyoke College placed #7 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,828 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $26,013. Set against $23,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College came in at #8 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $19,000. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Smith College earn a median of $35,407 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University came in at #9 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $52,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.