2026 Best Linguistics Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best linguistics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students 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. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the linguistics program at Stanford University

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of 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. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $30,524 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the linguistics program at University Of California Los Angeles

3

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in linguistics, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full linguistics details for San Jose State University

4

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 11 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of Southern California

5

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. 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. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $27,629 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete this degree. Get the full linguistics details for University Of California Santa Barbara

6

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #6 position for linguistics this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 45 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley 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. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. See the full linguistics program report for University Of California Berkeley

7

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #7 position for linguistics this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 48 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $21,793 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,491 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of California Santa Cruz

8

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 32 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Linguistics graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $22,965 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $16,079 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of California Davis

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #9 position for linguistics this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $21,501 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,202. See the full linguistics program report for California State University Northridge

10

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. University Of California Riverside awarded about 40 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $20,212 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics program report for University Of California Riverside

11

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for linguistics this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $18,393 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,580. Get the full linguistics details for California State University Long Beach

12

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #12 position for linguistics this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from California State University Fresno earn around $49,502 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Get the full linguistics details for California State University Fresno

13

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #13 for linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 16 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $22,723 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics program report for California State University Fullerton

14

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #14 spot for linguistics this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 23 linguistics degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $22,001. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full linguistics details for San Diego State University

15

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College came in at #15 for linguistics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. About 14 linguistics degrees were awarded at Pasadena City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from Pasadena City College earn around $38,841 in the first couple years of their career. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Get the full linguistics details for Pasadena City College

16

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Long Beach City College awarded about 13 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Long Beach City College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. See the full linguistics program report for Long Beach City College