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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong foreign languages & linguistics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 69 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
For return on investment in foreign languages & linguistics, no school beat Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,466 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $37,374. That is a strong return on a $26,466 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #4 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $25,947 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $32,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #7 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,391 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Temple University earn a median of $29,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $16,155. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #9 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University landed the #11 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $28,000. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $63,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University earned the #12 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.