2026 Best Value Modern Language Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Our analysis ranked Ball State University the best value for a degree in modern language education in the Great Lakes Region. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Modern Language Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

2

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value modern language education schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $27,000. Modern Language Education graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

3

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value modern language education schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. 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. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $49,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Students looking for strong value in modern language education will find it at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,182 to complete the modern language education program here. Modern Language Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Set against $21,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #5 place for modern language education. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the modern language education program here. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in modern language education this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $49,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

7

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #7 among the best values for modern language education. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $24,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $50,102. That is a strong return on a $24,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University placed #8 among the best values for modern language education. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $47,887. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

9

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value modern language education schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #10 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,437 to complete the modern language education program here. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $60,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value modern language education schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $26,642 to complete the modern language education program here. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $46,368. Set against $26,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

12

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #12 spot for modern language education value this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the modern language education program here. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $46,789. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

13

Adrian College
Adrian, MI

Adrian College placed #13 among the best values for modern language education. Located in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,684 in tuition and fees. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $30,994 in student loans. Modern Language Education graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Adrian College admits about 72% of applicants.

14

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value modern language education schools. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $51,987. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

The University Of Findlay
Findlay, OH

The University Of Findlay came in at #15 for value in modern language education this year. Located in the town of Findlay, The University Of Findlay is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,164. Typical student debt for modern language education graduates is $25,759. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from The University Of Findlay generally make around $57,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Findlay admits about 83% of applicants.

16

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College landed the #16 spot for modern language education value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,022 to complete the modern language education program here. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.

17

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford placed #17 among the best values for modern language education. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $24,560 in student loans. Modern Language Education graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $46,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.

18

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #18 among the best values for modern language education. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $26,910 to complete the modern language education program here. Soon after graduation, modern language education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $52,130. Set against $26,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.