2026 Best Value Linguistics Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Long Beach the best value for a degree in linguistics in the United States. 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. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $18,393. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for linguistics. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $24,658 early in their careers. Set against $17,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

3

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #3 place for linguistics. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. 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. Set against $20,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

4

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $21,715. 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%.

6

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $30,524. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

7

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $9,605. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

8

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #8 for value in linguistics this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,621 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $34,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $19,500. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $25,921. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

10

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

11

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #11 for value in linguistics this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $16,833 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $30,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

12

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #12 for value in linguistics this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. 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 linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $21,793. That is a strong return on a $17,491 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

13

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,924 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

14

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #14 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,479 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $44,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

15

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky came in at #15 for value in linguistics this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $26,530 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $27,449. That is a strong return on a $26,530 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

16

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #16 spot for linguistics value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $27,366. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

17

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University placed #17 among the best values for linguistics. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

18

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #18 spot for linguistics value this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

19

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #19 among the best values for linguistics. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $27,000. Linguistics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

20

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #21 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

22

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon earned the #22 position for value in linguistics this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $23,187 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $23,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

23

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University earned the #23 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,338 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $54,212. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

24

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #24 spot for linguistics value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

25

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $81,992. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.