by our College Data Analytics Team
[Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for linguistics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among linguistics schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. 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%.
Montclair State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $23,754. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Rutgers University New Brunswick one of the best values for linguistics. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $16,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
1
2
3
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.