2026 Best Value Modern Language Education Schools in Illinois
[Modern Language Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/modern-language-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value modern language education schools.
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2026 Best Value Modern Language Education Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the modern language education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Modern Language Education Schools
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #1 spot for value among modern language education schools in Illinois. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $21,182 in student loans. Early-career modern language education graduates make about $46,566. Set against $21,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #2 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for modern language education. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $24,149 in student loans. Modern Language Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Elmhurst College one of the best values for modern language education. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Modern Language Education graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $46,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Depaul University one of the best values for modern language education. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Modern Language Education graduates carry a median of $26,910 in student loans. Modern Language Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $52,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
More Modern Language Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
