[Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 176 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value linguistics schools.
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Finding the Best Value Linguistics School for You
The right linguistics school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Linguistics 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Linguistics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in linguistics in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for linguistics. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,912 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $30,205 early in their careers. Set against $19,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for linguistics. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $24,900. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for linguistics. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $16,500. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $28,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position for value in linguistics this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $15,833. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #8 for value in linguistics this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $21,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pasadena City College placed #9 among the best values for linguistics. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Fresno earned the #10 position for value in linguistics this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $15,598. Linguistics graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $12,580. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $18,393. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #12 among the best values for linguistics. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $24,658. That is a strong return on a $17,775 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Long Beach City College landed the #13 spot for linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #14 spot for linguistics value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #15 position for value in linguistics this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
San Jose State University came in at #16 for value in linguistics this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for linguistics. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for value in linguistics this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,502 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $26,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,502 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
West Virginia University earned the #19 position for value in linguistics 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, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,916 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $32,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #20 for value in linguistics this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #21 position for value in linguistics this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $21,715 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,437 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $27,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #23 spot for linguistics value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,524. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #24 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $16,481. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $9,605. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Linguistics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in linguistics:
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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 · 176 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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).
[Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
