2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for foreign languages & linguistics students.
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2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in foreign languages & linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
Leading the list is Salt Lake Community College, our #1 best value for foreign languages & linguistics in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $10,855. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Aurora earned it the #2 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $15,365 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $27,989. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,675 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $27,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at Pikes Peak Community College, which ranked #5. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Utah State University landed the #6 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $20,500. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $30,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,715. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $39,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #8 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $42,892. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #9 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $31,023 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $29,803 early in their careers. Set against $31,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #10 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $38,054. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #11 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $63,623. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University landed the #12 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $24,098. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $31,608 early in their careers. Set against $24,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #13 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $16,225 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $51,693. That is a strong return on a $16,225 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #14 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.