2026 Best Value Linguistics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

For return on investment in linguistics, no school beat Purdue University Main Campus this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. 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. The acceptance rate is 50%.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,124 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $27,699. That is a strong return on a $15,124 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #3 place for linguistics. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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 linguistics. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $25,921. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

A rank of #5 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for linguistics. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,924 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

6

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #6 among the best values for linguistics. 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, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $18,635. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $52,123. Set against $18,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for value in linguistics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #8 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $25,479. Linguistics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $34,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,479 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

9

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 for value in linguistics this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $25,921. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #10 spot for linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

11

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in linguistics this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,096 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $27,788. That is a strong return on a $20,096 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

12

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #12 spot for linguistics value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,915 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Set against $24,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

13

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University earned the #13 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $25,338. Linguistics graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,338 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

14

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University earned the #14 position for value in linguistics this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $22,110. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.