[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 284 schools to find the best return on investment for modern languages students.
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Finding the Best Value Modern Languages School for You
The right modern languages school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Modern Languages Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Modern Languages Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
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Leading the list is Cuny Lehman College, our #1 best value for modern languages in the United States. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for modern languages. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #4 place for modern languages. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $19,912 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $30,205 early in their careers. Set against $19,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in modern languages will find it at Golden West College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $21,500. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College landed the #6 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #7 among the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College placed #9 among the best values for modern languages. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College earned the #10 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #11 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge placed #12 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $21,501. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Long Beach City College earned the #13 position for value in modern languages this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the modern languages program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #14 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $8,794. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,125 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $27,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $28,658. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Houston Community College came in at #18 for value in modern languages this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fullerton College placed #19 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #21 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia came in at #22 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,315 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $32,521. That is a strong return on a $24,315 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $17,775 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $24,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #24 spot for modern languages value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #25 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,414 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $24,058 early in their careers. Set against $26,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Modern Languages Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s modern languages value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Modern Languages. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 284 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
