ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Modern Languages Master’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
$20,796 Avg Student Debt
$67,371 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Modern Languages Master's Degree Badge [Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Modern Languages Schools

1

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $24,323. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

2

Students looking for strong value in modern languages will find it at University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $9,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for modern languages. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $17,775. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $24,658. Set against $17,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

4
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #4 place for modern languages. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $21,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $16,833. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $30,895. Set against $16,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #101
6

University Of Delaware landed the #6 spot for modern languages value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #7 position for value in modern languages this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #8 among the best values for modern languages. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $17,491 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Set against $17,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

9

Central Connecticut State University landed the #9 spot for modern languages value this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.

10

Wayne State University came in at #10 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,924 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $20,939. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #115
11

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,479 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $44,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12

University Of Kentucky earned the #12 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,530 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $27,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

13

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #13 spot for modern languages value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $27,366. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

14

Texas Tech University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

15

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #15 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #145
16
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #16 for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $14,357. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #17 position for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

18
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #18 for value in modern languages this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

Other Modern Languages Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Modern Languages rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Modern Languages
Associate's Degrees in Modern Languages
Bachelor's Degrees in Modern Languages
ADBLOCK #173
View All Modern Languages Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options