[Modern Language Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/modern-language-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 112 schools to find the best return on investment for modern language education students.
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Finding the Best Value Modern Language Education School for You
The right modern language education school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Modern Language Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Modern Language Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among modern language education schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the modern language education program here. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $61,604. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value modern language education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $13,178. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern language education, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $67,212. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern language education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $13,213. Modern Language Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for modern language education. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $20,375. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $51,543. Set against $20,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #6 position for value in modern language education this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $59,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Crowder College landed the #7 spot for modern language education value this year. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $6,000. Modern Language Education graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $19,814 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College came in at #8 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the modern language education program here. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Florida International University placed #9 among the best values for modern language education. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $18,802. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $44,809. Set against $18,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #10 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $16,481. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $71,315. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #11 for value in modern language education this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the modern language education program here. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #12 for value in modern language education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $61,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #13 for value in modern language education this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $29,625 in student loans. Modern Language Education graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,625 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rhode Island College earned the #14 position for value in modern language education this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $29,659 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $51,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Truman State University placed #15 among the best values for modern language education. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Valdosta State University earned the #16 position for value in modern language education this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the modern language education program here. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $44,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #17 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the modern language education program here. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $41,160. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value modern language education schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #19 position for value in modern language education this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $20,836. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #20 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,751 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
California State University Chico placed #21 among the best values for modern language education. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $21,429 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $24,427. That is a strong return on a $21,429 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #22 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #23 among the best values for modern language education. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,307. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $25,134 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,134 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #25 for value in modern language education this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Modern Language Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for modern language education this year:
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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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).
[Modern Language Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/modern-language-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
