2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Tennessee

[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for modern languages students.
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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in modern languages, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Modern Languages Schools
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among modern languages schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $21,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $34,856. Set against $21,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Memphis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $23,533. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for modern languages. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in modern languages will find it at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $20,612 in student loans. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $31,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.