French Language & Literature degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for french language & literature students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great French Language & Literature School
Where you study french language & literature matters for your future. To help, we created our Best French Language & Literature Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
French Language & Literature Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best French Language & Literature Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for French Language & Literature in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the french language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year for french language & literature. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 11 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $47,208. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
See the full french language & literature program report for Vanderbilt University
Yale University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best french language & literature schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 12 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their french language & literature degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from Yale University
Students looking for a strong french language & literature program will find one at New York University, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 15 french language & literature degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their french language & literature degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
See the full french language & literature program report for New York University
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in french language & literature, ranking #4. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 14 french language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the french language & literature program make about $40,818 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,593 in student loans.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in french language & literature, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the french language & literature program make about $54,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree.
See the full french language & literature program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #6 for french language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 13 french language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $38,269. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $14,050 in student loans.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from University Of Virginia Main Campus
Drexel University landed the #7 spot for french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Drexel University awarded about 10 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. French Language & Literature graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $63,106 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from Drexel University
Amherst College came in at #8 for french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Amherst College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their french language & literature degree from Amherst College earn around $49,322 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete this degree.
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Weber State University landed the #9 spot for french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Weber State University awarded about 42 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $27,989. Weber State University graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans.
See the full french language & literature program report for Weber State University
Southern Methodist University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best french language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 10 french language & literature degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $57,858. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,730 in student loans.
Read more about the french language & literature program at Southern Methodist University
Princeton University landed the #11 spot for french language & literature this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. Princeton University awarded about 15 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. French Language & Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
See the full french language & literature program report for Princeton University
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #12 position for french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 71 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,720 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 13 french language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $34,572 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,559 to complete this degree.
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University Of Rhode Island came in at #14 for french language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 12 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $59,220. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $23,975 in student loans.
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University Of North Dakota ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Dakota awarded about 14 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best french language & literature schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 23 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the french language & literature program make about $45,050 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #17 position for french language & literature this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 13 french language & literature degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their french language & literature degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $33,307 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from Indiana University Bloomington
Boise State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Boise State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the french language & literature program make about $31,608 in their early career. Boise State University graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans.
See the full french language & literature program report for Boise State University
Middlebury College came in at #19 for french language & literature this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their french language & literature degree from Middlebury College earn around $53,716 in the first couple years of their career. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans.
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University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for french language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 12 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $33,169. Typical student debt for the program is $22,760.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #21 among the best french language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 french language & literature degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $49,718. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
See the full french language & literature program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Arizona State University landed the #22 spot for french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 14 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their french language & literature degree from Arizona State University earn around $42,436 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,534 in student loans.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from Arizona State University
University Of Arizona came in at #23 for french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the french language & literature program make about $34,484 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,725.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from University Of Arizona
University Of Kansas earned the #24 position for french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 10 french language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in french language & literature from University Of Kansas
Utah Valley University placed #25 among the best french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 french language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Utah Valley University in the most recent data year. French Language & Literature graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250.
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Rest of the Top 27 French Language & Literature Schools
These schools also placed among the best for french language & literature this year:
French Language & Literature Related Rankings by Major
French Language & Literature is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.
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).
