by our College Data Analytics Team
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1299 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for foreign languages & linguistics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in foreign languages & linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Oxnard College, our #1 best value for foreign languages & linguistics in the United States. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #2 place for foreign languages & linguistics. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $6,999. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $14,692. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #5 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
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Pasadena City College came in at #6 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #7 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $5,707. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Golden West College earned the #8 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #10 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Santa Ana College placed #11 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College placed #12 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $7,234. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #13 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College earned the #15 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #16 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College placed #17 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
South Texas College landed the #18 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $6,868. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #19 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College came in at #21 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District earned the #22 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $15,148. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
El Camino Community College District landed the #23 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #24 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College landed the #25 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s foreign languages & linguistics value ranking:
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Explore the best-value foreign languages & linguistics schools at other degree levels:
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 · 1299 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.