2026 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools in the Southeast Region
[Linguistics & Comparative Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 117 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 Southeast 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
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $19,912. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $30,205. That is a strong return on a $19,912 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $26,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $28,658 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics & comparative literature will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics & comparative literature will find it at Sampson Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College placed #6 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
University Of North Georgia came in at #7 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,315 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $32,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $17,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,658. That is a strong return on a $17,775 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #9 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Surry Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #11 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $7,947. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #12 spot for linguistics & comparative literature value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $26,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $24,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #13 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $20,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $32,684. That is a strong return on a $20,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $21,187. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,856 early in their careers. Set against $21,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #15 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $23,324. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Old Dominion University placed #16 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $26,001. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #17 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $19,500. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $25,630. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #18 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $22,420. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $17,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #20 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $25,750. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $23,533. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University placed #21 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $47,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
East Tennessee State University placed #22 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $21,301. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock placed #23 among the best values for linguistics & comparative literature. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics & comparative literature graduates is $27,093. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $47,170. Set against $27,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #24 for value in linguistics & comparative literature this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Linguistics & Comparative Literature graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, linguistics & comparative literature degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics & comparative literature schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,560 to complete the linguistics & comparative literature program here. Early-career linguistics & comparative literature graduates make about $35,561. That is a strong return on a $25,560 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Linguistics & Comparative Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for linguistics & comparative literature this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
