2027 Best Value Romance Languages Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Romance Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong romance languages education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for romance languages students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Romance Languages Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the romance languages degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Romance Languages Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $17,559. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for romance languages. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $17,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $22,803. That is a strong return on a $17,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in romance languages will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. 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 romance languages graduates is $19,844. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for romance languages. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in romance languages, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $38,942. Set against $21,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Andrews University came in at #6 for value in romance languages this year. 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. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $40,586. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $26,584. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $33,307. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. 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 romance languages graduates is $20,250. Romance Languages 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. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $23,524 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #12 for value in romance languages this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $37,018. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for romance languages value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,746 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages 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. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #14 spot for romance languages value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $32,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in romance languages this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $23,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $28,740 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $31,569 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Illinois State University placed #17 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #18 for value in romance languages this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $28,000. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $35,658. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #20 position for value in romance languages this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College earned the #21 position for value in romance languages this year. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Students borrow a median of $26,578 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $48,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for romance languages. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $25,000. Romance Languages 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. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #23 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $20,702. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $39,220. Set against $20,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Loyola University Chicago placed #24 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $22,698. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $58,568. Set against $22,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Kenyon College placed #25 among the best values for romance languages. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. Students from in state pay about $71,520 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $37,976. That is a strong return on a $18,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.