2027 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value french language & literature schools.
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2027 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in french language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
For return on investment in french language & literature, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,559 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in french language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $17,677. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $22,803. That is a strong return on a $17,677 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in french language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $19,844. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in french language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $21,800. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $38,942. That is a strong return on a $21,800 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $40,586 early in their careers. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #7 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $24,619. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $26,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $14,000. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $33,307. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for french language & literature value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #10 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $37,018 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $23,524 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $41,109. Set against $23,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $22,746. French Language & Literature graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,815 early in their careers. Set against $22,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $32,630. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,739 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #15 position for value in french language & literature this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $28,740. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $50,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University landed the #16 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,448. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Michigan State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $35,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #19 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Norbert College earned the #20 position for value in french language & literature this year. Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of De Pere. Students from in state pay about $45,580 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $26,578. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $48,421. Set against $26,578 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $25,000. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $30,504 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford earned the #22 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $20,702. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $39,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #23 for value in french language & literature this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,698 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College earned the #24 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
