2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Southwest Region
[Foreign Languages & Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 126 schools to find the best return on investment for foreign languages & linguistics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the foreign languages & linguistics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
For return on investment in foreign languages & linguistics, no school beat South Texas College this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in foreign languages & linguistics will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #4. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $10,655. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $15,095. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
El Paso Community College came in at #6 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #7 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $13,279. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $31,488 early in their careers. Set against $13,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City placed #9 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Students borrow a median of $18,726 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $45,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College placed #10 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $19,125. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #12 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #13 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $12,633 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $27,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,633 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Community College earned the #14 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #17 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,889 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,889 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #18 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $21,728. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $28,044 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #19 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lamar University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $27,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston earned the #22 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University came in at #23 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,677 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $42,436. Set against $20,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University placed #24 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $20,154. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $35,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas placed #25 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,715 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $24,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for foreign languages & linguistics this year:
Narrow Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools by State
More Foreign Languages & Linguistics Rankings
View All Foreign Languages & Linguistics Rankings >
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 · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
