2026 Best Value Applied Linguistics Master’s Degree Schools

1

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University tops our 2026 list of the best value applied linguistics schools in the United States. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,916 in student loans. Early-career applied linguistics graduates make about $32,684. That is a strong return on a $20,916 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

3

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #3 place for applied linguistics. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for applied linguistics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value applied linguistics schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,491 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $21,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

6

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #6 among the best values for applied linguistics. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $44,585. That is a strong return on a $25,479 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value applied linguistics schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Applied Linguistics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $59,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon landed the #8 spot for applied linguistics value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete the applied linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, applied linguistics degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $23,615. Set against $23,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #9 for value in applied linguistics this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Applied Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Applied Linguistics graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.