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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the The Plains States Region

22 Colleges in the United States
$20,112 Avg Student Debt
$54,175 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 129 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for foreign languages & linguistics students.

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2026 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the The Plains States Region

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

Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools

1

For return on investment in foreign languages & linguistics, no school beat St Charles Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Bismarck State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $61,364. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.

4

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $12,281. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Minnesota State Community And Technical College one of the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $18,197. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $42,972. Set against $18,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Fort Hays State University earned the #6 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $25,967. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $49,775. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #7 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $33,828. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

8
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University landed the #8 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

9

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

10

Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #10 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for foreign languages & linguistics. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College came in at #12 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,814 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $28,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,814 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.

13

Johnson County Community College landed the #13 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $13,532. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $46,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $19,863. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $30,472. Set against $19,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

15

University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #15 spot for foreign languages & linguistics value this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $58,798 early in their careers. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.

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16

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $29,830. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #17 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

18

Kansas State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $23,091. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

19

Winona State University came in at #19 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,017 in student loans. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $41,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

20

South Dakota State University came in at #20 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Early-career foreign languages & linguistics graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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21

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #21 for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $20,865 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $37,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,865 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22

Iowa State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates carry a median of $24,070 in student loans. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $32,851 early in their careers. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of North Dakota ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $25,110. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

24

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #24 position for value in foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,657 to complete the foreign languages & linguistics program here. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $31,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,657 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.

25

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value foreign languages & linguistics schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for foreign languages & linguistics graduates is $19,286. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $35,409. That is a strong return on a $19,286 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools

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

26
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
27
28
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
29
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

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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 · 129 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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