2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Master’s Degree Schools
[French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong french language & literature education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 544 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 United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the french language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $10,888. French Language & Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for french language & literature. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $20,070. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,559 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $61,829. Set against $17,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for french language & literature. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $28,603. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Georgia landed the #6 spot for french language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,760 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Montclair State University earned the #7 position for value in french language & literature this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $47,487. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #8 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
San Diego State University landed the #9 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $14,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in french language & literature this year. 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. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $27,815. Set against $22,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #11 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $54,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #12 for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $15,187 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $32,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $28,000. French Language & Literature graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Iowa landed the #14 spot for french language & literature value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,702 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $28,746. That is a strong return on a $23,702 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $24,496. French Language & Literature graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $31,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Middlebury College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $15,948. French Language & Literature graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $53,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,948 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.
Yale University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cornell University earned the #19 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
New York University placed #20 among the best values for french language & literature. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $46,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Other French Language & Literature Degree Levels
Explore the best-value french language & literature schools at other degree levels:
View All French Language & Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 544 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
