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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$24,092 Avg Student Debt
$55,878 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Modern Languages Badge [Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for modern languages students.

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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in modern languages, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Modern Languages Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Southern Indiana the best value for a degree in modern languages in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

3
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #3 place for modern languages. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $25,972. Modern Languages graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $25,924. Modern Languages graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $25,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $34,935. Set against $25,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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6

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $25,921 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Toledo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $24,923. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

Narrow Modern Languages Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 28 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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