[Chinese Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/east-asian-languages/chinese-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 135 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value chinese language & literature schools.
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Finding the Best Value Chinese Language & Literature School for You
Where you study chinese language & literature affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Chinese Language & Literature Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Chinese Language & Literature Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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For return on investment in chinese language & literature, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chinese language & literature graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $26,571. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value chinese language & literature schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $41,847. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for chinese language & literature. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for chinese language & literature. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the chinese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chinese language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #6 for value in chinese language & literature this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for chinese language & literature graduates is $9,191. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #7 among the best values for chinese language & literature. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Diablo Valley College came in at #8 for value in chinese language & literature this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the chinese language & literature program here. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University earned the #9 position for value in chinese language & literature this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #10 position for value in chinese language & literature this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the chinese language & literature program here. Chinese Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah placed #11 among the best values for chinese language & literature. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #12 among the best values for chinese language & literature. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for chinese language & literature graduates is $14,108. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $19,861. Set against $14,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for chinese language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $23,980. That is a strong return on a $13,900 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #14 spot for chinese language & literature value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the best values for chinese language & literature. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the chinese language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Austin Community College District landed the #16 spot for chinese language & literature value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the chinese language & literature program here. Chinese Language & Literature graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value chinese language & literature schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #18 spot for chinese language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $18,076 to complete the chinese language & literature program here. Chinese Language & Literature graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $24,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #19 position for value in chinese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the chinese language & literature program here. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Davis came in at #20 for value in chinese language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $28,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value chinese language & literature schools. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $53,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Los Angeles City College came in at #22 for value in chinese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for chinese language & literature graduates is $10,763. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #23 among the best values for chinese language & literature. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for chinese language & literature graduates is $20,836. Early-career chinese language & literature graduates make about $33,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #24 for value in chinese language & literature this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Chinese Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,093 in student loans. Chinese Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $27,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Georgia State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value chinese language & literature schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for chinese language & literature graduates is $26,091. Soon after graduation, chinese language & literature degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Chinese Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in chinese language & literature:
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Chinese Language & Literature Related Rankings by Major
Chinese Language & Literature is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
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 · 135 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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).