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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Linguistics Master’s Degree Schools

16 Colleges in the United States
220 Linguistics Degrees Awarded
$49,832 Avg Early-Career Salary

Linguistics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 176 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best linguistics schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Linguistics in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in linguistics, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Linguistics

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year for linguistics. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 27 linguistics degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Linguistics graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $28,278 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full linguistics details for Georgetown University

2
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics program report for Dartmouth College

3

Students looking for a strong linguistics program will find one at University Of Delaware, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 12 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from University Of Delaware earn around $54,155 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,861. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of Delaware

4

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best linguistics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 10 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $24,658 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Read more about the linguistics program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

5

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics program report for Arizona State University

6
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #6 among the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 13 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Linguistics graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in linguistics from Syracuse University

7

Benedictine University earned the #7 position for linguistics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 25 linguistics degrees were awarded at Benedictine University in the most recent year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from Benedictine University earn around $54,212 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,338. More information about a degree in linguistics from Benedictine University

8

Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #8 spot for linguistics this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 20 linguistics degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Linguistics graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

9

West Virginia University earned the #9 position for linguistics this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 12 linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from West Virginia University earn around $32,684 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,916 to complete this degree. Read more about the linguistics program at West Virginia University

10

California State University Long Beach landed the #10 spot for linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 14 linguistics degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $18,393. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete this degree. See the full linguistics program report for California State University Long Beach

11

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #11 among the best linguistics schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 14 linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Graduates of the linguistics program make about $55,861 in their early career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. More information about a degree in linguistics from University Of Colorado Boulder

12

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #12 among the best linguistics schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 32 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $68,822. See the full linguistics program report for Teachers College At Columbia University

13
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #13 for linguistics this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 19 linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their linguistics degree from Liberty University earn around $45,877 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Get the full linguistics details for Liberty University

Other Linguistics Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Linguistics rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Linguistics
Associate's Degrees in Linguistics
Bachelor's Degrees in Linguistics
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View All Linguistics Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, 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.

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