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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California

21 Colleges in the United States
$12,814 Avg Student Debt
$54,950 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 169 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools.

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2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in foreign languages & linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools

1

San Diego Mesa College earned the #1 spot for value among foreign languages & linguistics schools in California. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

2
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Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

3

Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at Irvine Valley College, which ranked #3. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.

4

College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
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College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $9,776. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Fresno City College placed #6 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

7
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Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.

8

Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

9
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Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $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.

10
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Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #10 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $5,707. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Imperial Valley College earned the #11 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Pasadena City College came in at #12 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City 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 $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
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Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Gavilan College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. 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. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $15,886. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.

15
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Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #15 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $11,196. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

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16
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Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College placed #16 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

17

California State University Los Angeles came in at #17 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $14,430. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $20,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

18

California State University Stanislaus landed the #18 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

19

Solano Community College placed #19 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
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De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #20 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Riverside City College landed the #21 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

California State University Fullerton came in at #22 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,742 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,723. Set against $10,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

23

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #23 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

24
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Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College earned the #24 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.

25
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American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for foreign languages & linguistics this year:

26
27
28
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Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
29
30
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Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
31
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Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
32
33
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Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
34
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Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
35
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Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA
36
37
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Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
38
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Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
39
40
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Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA
41
42
43
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Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
44
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Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA
45
46
47
48
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Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
49
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East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 169 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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