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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Tennessee

3 Colleges in the United States
$22,435 Avg Student Debt
$50,652 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. 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

1

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.

2

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%.

3

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%.

4

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%.

5

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%.

View All Modern Languages Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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