2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at Elgin Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

A rank of #5 makes Columbus State Community College one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #6 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $17,559. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

7

Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI

Waukesha County Technical College landed the #7 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $46,398. That is a strong return on a $16,595 median debt.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $40,586. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

10

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #10 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #11 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $17,496. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $26,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

12

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #12 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $19,543 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $32,084 early in their careers. Set against $19,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

13

Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #13 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $18,296. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University earned the #14 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,092. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $33,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

16

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #16 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $26,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #17 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $76,755. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.

18

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #18 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $35,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

19

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #19 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

20

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #20 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $17,465 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $31,800. That is a strong return on a $17,465 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

21

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,428 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $35,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #22 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $23,524. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $41,109. Set against $23,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

23

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $37,018. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.

24

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $25,859 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,859 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

25

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University landed the #25 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,740 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $31,569 early in their careers. Set against $28,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.