Applied Linguistics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best applied linguistics schools.
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Choosing a Great Applied Linguistics School
The applied linguistics program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Applied Linguistics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Applied Linguistics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Applied Linguistics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Applied Linguistics in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the applied linguistics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of California Santa Cruz, our #1 school for applied linguistics. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 15 applied linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $21,793 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,491 to complete this degree.
Read more about the applied linguistics program at University Of California Santa Cruz
West Virginia University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 applied linguistics students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from West Virginia University earn around $32,684 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,916 to complete this degree.
Get the full applied linguistics details for West Virginia University
Students looking for a strong applied linguistics program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 applied linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $59,206 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans.
Read more about the applied linguistics program at University Of Massachusetts Boston
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Fort Wayne. About 36% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 applied linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn around $49,424 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans.
See the full applied linguistics program report for Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
A rank of #5 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the top schools for applied linguistics. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. New Mexico State University Main Campus awarded about 16 applied linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn around $27,720 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,125.
More information about a degree in applied linguistics from New Mexico State University Main Campus
University Of Oregon placed #6 among the best applied linguistics schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 applied linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied linguistics program make about $23,615 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete this degree.
See the full applied linguistics program report for University Of Oregon
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #7 position for applied linguistics this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 28 applied linguistics degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Students who receive their applied linguistics degree from Texas A And M University Commerce earn around $54,201 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,796.
More information about a degree in applied linguistics from Texas A And M University Commerce
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Applied Linguistics 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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 44 schools evaluated.
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).