2026 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong linguistics & comparative literature education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for linguistics & comparative literature students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the linguistics & comparative literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among linguistics & comparative literature schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $10,888. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $13,213. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $24,900. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College placed #6 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Delaware ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #8 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $23,754 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Towson University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #11 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $23,742. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #12 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $19,001. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $24,407 early in their careers. Set against $19,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #13 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany came in at #15 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,521. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #16 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo landed the #17 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $19,125 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $26,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton placed #18 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $26,353. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #20 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $16,796. Set against $24,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester came in at #21 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #22 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $23,577 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $37,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #23 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Cornell University placed #24 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in linguistics & comparative literature:
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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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
