2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Southeast Region
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 265 schools to find the best return on investment for foreign languages & linguistics students.
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2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in foreign languages & linguistics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,127 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $28,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $26,246. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for foreign languages & linguistics. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $28,658. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #6 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $18,500. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $32,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #7 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $14,413. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $12,596. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $24,323. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #11 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $16,131. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University earned the #12 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $19,019 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $29,255 early in their careers. Set against $19,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #13 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,815 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. Set against $14,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #14 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $18,523. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $45,356 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Surry Community College placed #15 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia landed the #16 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,315 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $32,521. Set against $24,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Wilson Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $15,846. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $47,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Alabama earned the #18 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $24,291. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Beaufort County Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Valdosta State University earned the #20 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $37,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #21 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $20,916. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $32,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Tidewater Community College earned the #22 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $14,001. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $35,627. That is a strong return on a $14,001 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #23 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,423 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $32,696. Set against $24,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith came in at #24 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $39,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock placed #25 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,804. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s foreign languages & linguistics value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 265 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
