2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Virginia
[Modern Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/modern-languages/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value modern languages schools.
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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the modern languages degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Modern Languages Schools
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among modern languages schools in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. 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%.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for modern languages. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $40,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $26,000. Modern Languages graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $30,635 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the best values for modern languages. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $43,243. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes James Madison University one of the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $18,398 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Christopher Newport University came in at #6 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $25,094 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. Set against $25,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the modern languages program here. Modern Languages graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $37,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
More Modern Languages Rankings
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
