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2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the Southwest Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$18,239 Avg Student Debt
$48,026 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for modern languages students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Modern Languages Schools in the Southwest Region

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

Best Value Modern Languages Schools

1

Leading the list is South Texas College, our #1 best value for modern languages in the Southwest Region. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the modern languages program here. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

3

New Mexico State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $19,125. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $27,720. Set against $19,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

4

Houston Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value modern languages schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for modern languages. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $29,250. Modern Languages graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

Northern Arizona University placed #6 among the best values for modern languages. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $38,177 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #7 for value in modern languages this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for modern languages graduates is $16,833. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $30,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

8
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College came in at #8 for value in modern languages this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Modern Languages graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.

9

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for modern languages. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Modern Languages graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Early-career modern languages graduates make about $27,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

Texas Tech University landed the #10 spot for modern languages value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 31 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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