2027 Best Value French Language & Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 126 schools to find the best return on investment for french language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in french language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for french language & literature in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $37,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for french language & literature. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $8,617 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $35,941. That is a strong return on a $8,617 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $27,578. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in french language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,184 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $15,184 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #5 place for french language & literature. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,523 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $15,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,967 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $8,480 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Set against $8,480 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #8 for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $20,070. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Weber State University earned the #11 position for value in french language & literature this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $27,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #12 for value in french language & literature this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,593 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $40,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for french language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $20,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #14 among the best values for french language & literature. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $17,559. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $17,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #15 among the best values for french language & literature. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $34,117. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #17 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,752 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $26,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #18 for value in french language & literature this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $22,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #19 among the best values for french language & literature. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,609 early in their careers. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #20 spot for french language & literature value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $20,250. French Language & Literature graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Sonoma State University placed #21 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $51,140. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #22 for value in french language & literature this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $9,500. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $36,692. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #23 spot for french language & literature value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $12,000. French Language & Literature graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $47,208 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
San Francisco State University came in at #24 for value in french language & literature this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $25,242 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #25 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,559 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $34,572. That is a strong return on a $13,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in french language & literature:
Other French Language & Literature Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value French Language & Literature rankings across degree levels:
View All French Language & Literature 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 · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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.
