by our College Data Analytics Team
[Romance Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for romance languages students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the romance languages degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Weber State University the best value for a degree in romance languages in the United States. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $8,500. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $27,989. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in romance languages will find it at Santa Rosa Junior College, which ranked #2. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in romance languages will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $9,191. Romance Languages graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in romance languages will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in romance languages will find it at San Joaquin Delta College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Palomar College came in at #6 for value in romance languages this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Modesto Junior College landed the #7 spot for romance languages value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Solano Community College landed the #8 spot for romance languages value this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #9 among the best values for romance languages. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
El Camino Community College District ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Hartnell College earned the #11 position for value in romance languages this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #12 position for value in romance languages this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College landed the #13 spot for romance languages value this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $6,952. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #14 spot for romance languages value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $14,125. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt.
Sierra College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $15,789. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #18 position for value in romance languages this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $7,234. Romance Languages graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Crafton Hills College placed #20 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the suburb of Yucaipa, Crafton Hills College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,188, while out-of-state students pay about $14,556. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $23,000. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $97,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Tahoe Community College came in at #21 for value in romance languages this year. Set in the rural area of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,131 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,657 ten years after entry.
East Los Angeles College placed #22 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $33,595. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles City College came in at #23 for value in romance languages this year. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
Los Angeles Valley College earned the #24 position for value in romance languages this year. Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public school located in the city of Valley Glen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $10,254. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern College Chula Vista earned the #25 position for value in romance languages this year. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,344 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in romance languages:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Romance Languages rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.