Modern Languages degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 284 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for modern languages students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Modern Languages School
The modern languages program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Modern Languages Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Modern Languages School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Modern Languages Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Modern Languages in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the modern languages degrees they offer, see the list below.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in modern languages. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 56 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans.
Get the full modern languages details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Students looking for a strong modern languages program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $35,409 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $19,286 in student loans.
See the full modern languages program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in modern languages, ranking #3. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 68 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $37,389. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full modern languages details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in modern languages, ranking #4. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 14 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,122. Students borrow a median of $18,398 to complete this degree.
Read more about the modern languages program at James Madison University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in modern languages, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 modern languages degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $34,099. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans.
Read more about the modern languages program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best modern languages schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 20 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in modern languages from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for modern languages this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the modern languages program make about $30,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,912 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in modern languages from University Of Florida
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #8 position for modern languages this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data year. Graduates of the modern languages program make about $51,693 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,225.
Get the full modern languages details for Colorado State University Fort Collins
The University Of Alabama came in at #9 for modern languages this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496.
Read more about the modern languages program at The University Of Alabama
University Of Rhode Island landed the #10 spot for modern languages this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. About 15 modern languages degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from University Of Rhode Island earn around $52,821 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,432.
Get the full modern languages details for University Of Rhode Island
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #11 for modern languages this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. About 48 modern languages degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the modern languages program make about $28,658 in their early career. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
See the full modern languages program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus
Northern Arizona University came in at #12 for modern languages this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 28 modern languages degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $38,177 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Get the full modern languages details for Northern Arizona University
Old Dominion University placed #13 among the best modern languages schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 22 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from Old Dominion University earn around $57,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001.
Read more about the modern languages program at Old Dominion University
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #14 among the best modern languages schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 13 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full modern languages program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
The University Of Tennessee earned the #15 position for modern languages this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 30 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $31,713 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,612.
More information about a degree in modern languages from The University Of Tennessee
Mississippi State University landed the #16 spot for modern languages this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from Mississippi State University earn around $47,383 in the first couple years of their career. Mississippi State University graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans.
Read more about the modern languages program at Mississippi State University
George Mason University placed #17 among the best modern languages schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from George Mason University earn around $40,105 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,850.
See the full modern languages program report for George Mason University
University Of Mary Washington ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best modern languages schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 12 modern languages degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $43,243 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full modern languages program report for University Of Mary Washington
Kennesaw State University landed the #19 spot for modern languages this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kennesaw. About 52% of students finish within six years. Kennesaw State University awarded about 30 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from Kennesaw State University earn around $53,824 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,004.
More information about a degree in modern languages from Kennesaw State University
University Of Toledo placed #20 among the best modern languages schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 13 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans.
More information about a degree in modern languages from University Of Toledo
Kansas State University earned the #21 position for modern languages this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Typical student debt for the program is $23,091.
Read more about the modern languages program at Kansas State University
Christopher Newport University landed the #22 spot for modern languages this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Christopher Newport University graduates 72% of students within six years. Christopher Newport University awarded about 11 modern languages degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, modern languages degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $41,656. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans.
Get the full modern languages details for Christopher Newport University
Fort Hays State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best modern languages schools. This large public university is located in the town of Hays. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their modern languages degree from Fort Hays State University earn around $49,775 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete this degree.
See the full modern languages program report for Fort Hays State University
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #24 spot for modern languages this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 modern languages students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Modern Languages graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $23,742 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in modern languages from University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Texas Tech University placed #25 among the best modern languages schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 39 modern languages degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Graduates of the modern languages program make about $50,332 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in modern languages from Texas Tech University
Rest of the Top 50 Modern Languages Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong modern languages education:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 284 schools evaluated.
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).