2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 99 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value french language & literature schools.
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2026 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 Purdue University Main Campus this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $17,559. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $61,829. Set against $17,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for french language & literature. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. 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.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $17,677. 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. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for french language & literature. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $21,800. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $38,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,800 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #6 among the best values for french language & literature. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $19,543 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $32,084. That is a strong return on a $19,543 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #7 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $26,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for french language & literature. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $33,307. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #9 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #10 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $20,250. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $35,720. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #11 among the best values for french language & literature. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $37,018. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #12 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,524 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $41,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,746 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $27,815. Set against $22,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Kalamazoo College earned the #14 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $27,000. French Language & Literature graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Andrews University placed #15 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $62,634. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Michigan University landed the #17 spot for french language & literature value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $28,625. French Language & Literature graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $32,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #18 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $35,658. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #19 for value in french language & literature this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $25,174. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Mount Union came in at #20 for value in french language & literature this year. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. Students from in state pay about $36,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $52,058. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #21 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $30,504. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College earned the #22 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $38,068 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College landed the #23 spot for french language & literature value 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. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $48,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #24 position for value in french language & literature this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $37,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $20,702 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for french language & literature this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
