ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Linguistics Schools

65 Colleges in the United States
2,132 Linguistics Degrees Awarded
$42,533 Avg Early-Career Salary

Linguistics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 176 schools to find the best for linguistics students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget

Choosing a Great Linguistics School

Best Linguistics Schools

Where you study linguistics matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Linguistics Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Linguistics Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Linguistics
Bachelor's Degrees in Linguistics
Master's Degrees in Linguistics
Doctoral Degrees in Linguistics

We offer several rankings, including this Best Linguistics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
ADBLOCK #171

Best Schools for Linguistics in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall linguistics education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Linguistics

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for linguistics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 20 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of Chicago

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in linguistics, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics program report for Stanford University

3
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 18 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. More information about a degree in linguistics from Purdue University Main Campus

4
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 22 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Read more about the linguistics program at Harvard University

5

A rank of #5 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for linguistics. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 10 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

6

University Of California Los Angeles placed #6 among the best linguistics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 30 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Linguistics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $30,524 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of California Los Angeles

7
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College landed the #7 spot for linguistics this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dartmouth College awarded about 12 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $81,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics from Dartmouth College

8

Cornell University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 16 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. More information about a degree in linguistics from Cornell University

9
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #9 spot for linguistics this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 17 linguistics degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Linguistics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics details for Yale University

10

San Jose State University placed #10 among the best linguistics schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 18 linguistics degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in linguistics from San Jose State University

11
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $28,278 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from Georgetown University

12

University Of Southern California came in at #12 for linguistics this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full linguistics program report for University Of Southern California

13

University Of Connecticut landed the #13 spot for linguistics this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 18 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Typical student debt for the program is $23,637. Get the full linguistics details for University Of Connecticut

14

University Of Rochester placed #14 among the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Get the full linguistics details for University Of Rochester

15

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #15 among the best linguistics schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 22 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $27,699 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,124 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

16

University Of Delaware earned the #16 position for linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Linguistics graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree. Read more about the linguistics program at University Of Delaware

17
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #17 spot for linguistics this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 linguistics degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from Boston University earn around $63,598 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232. More information about a degree in linguistics from Boston University

18

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #18 spot for linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 63 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $27,629. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics details for University Of California Santa Barbara

19

Northeastern University landed the #19 spot for linguistics this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics from Northeastern University

20

Arizona State University came in at #20 for linguistics this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from Arizona State University earn around $55,876 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,842. Get the full linguistics details for Arizona State University

21

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #21 spot for linguistics this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $24,658 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,775. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

22

University Of California Berkeley placed #22 among the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 45 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $25,059 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics program report for University Of California Berkeley

23

University Of Maryland College Park placed #23 among the best linguistics schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of Maryland College Park

24

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #24 position for linguistics this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 38 linguistics degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $32,185 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,892. Read more about the linguistics program at The University Of Texas At Austin

25

College Of William And Mary landed the #25 spot for linguistics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935. Get the full linguistics details for College Of William And Mary

Rest of the Top 50 Linguistics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong linguistics education:

26
27
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
28
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
36
37
38
39
40
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
41
42
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
43
44
45
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
46
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
47
48
49
50

>
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget

Linguistics by Region

View the Best Linguistics Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

ADBLOCK #173
View All Rankings >

Explore other rankings in majors related to Linguistics. See all related rankings.

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 176 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options