[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1299 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for foreign languages & linguistics students.
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Finding the Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics School for You
The right foreign languages & linguistics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in foreign languages & linguistics in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $15,523 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $8,617 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $35,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $12,157. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $34,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $20,408. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $26,246 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,654 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $18,490. That is a strong return on a $12,654 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,127 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $28,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,127 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #9 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #10 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,742 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,723 early in their careers. Set against $10,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #11 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $9,384. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #12 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #13 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
De Anza College earned the #14 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #15 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $9,191. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #17 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Golden West College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,500. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #19 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #20 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #21 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $14,430. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $20,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #22 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #23 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #24 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College came in at #25 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for foreign languages & linguistics this year:
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 · 1299 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 217 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).
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
