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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Applied Linguistics Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
139 Applied Linguistics Degrees Awarded
$38,378 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Applied Linguistics School

Best Applied Linguistics Schools

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.

Applied Linguistics Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Applied Linguistics
Bachelor's Degrees in Applied Linguistics
Master's Degrees in Applied Linguistics
Doctoral Degrees in Applied Linguistics

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.

See how we build our rankings

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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.

Top Schools in Applied Linguistics

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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 by Region

Explore the best applied linguistics schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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