by our College Data Analytics Team
[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong modern languages education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 284 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for modern languages students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the modern languages degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Lehman College tops our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools in the United States. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $13,213. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,912 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $30,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for modern languages. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $21,501. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #5 spot 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, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,125 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $27,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for modern languages value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $28,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #7 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $32,756. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #8 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $9,605. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in modern languages this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #11 for value in modern languages this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $17,775. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,658. Set against $17,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #12 for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $29,250. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $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 ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, 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. That is a strong return on a $26,414 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $19,844. Modern Languages graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #16 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $21,715 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #17 spot for modern languages value this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $33,828. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #18 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #19 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $21,187. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $34,856. That is a strong return on a $21,187 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University landed the #20 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $23,324. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $50,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of California Riverside earned the #23 position for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $17,283 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $20,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University landed the #24 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $26,001. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #25 spot for modern languages value this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for modern languages this year:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Modern Languages rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.