2027 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in Tennessee
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for foreign languages & linguistics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in foreign languages & linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
Austin Peay State University earned the #1 spot for value among foreign languages & linguistics schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $44,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $47,208. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #3 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Middle Tennessee State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,187. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,856 early in their careers. Set against $21,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #5 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $23,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #6 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
East Tennessee State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,301. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $45,444. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #8 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $20,612. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $31,713. Set against $20,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
More Foreign Languages & Linguistics Rankings
View All Foreign Languages & Linguistics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
