by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for linguistics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Lehman College the best value for a degree in linguistics in New York. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the linguistics program here. 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.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for linguistics. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $19,001 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $24,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for linguistics. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $23,258. Linguistics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
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Suny At Albany ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #7 among the best values for linguistics. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $19,125. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $26,703. That is a strong return on a $19,125 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #8 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $22,250. Linguistics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $26,353 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Rochester landed the #9 spot for linguistics value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Cornell University landed the #10 spot for linguistics value this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
New York University placed #11 among the best values for linguistics. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University landed the #12 spot for linguistics value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.