Foreign Languages & Linguistics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1299 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for foreign languages & linguistics students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great Foreign Languages & Linguistics School
The school you choose for foreign languages & linguistics can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Foreign Languages & Linguistics rankings. For our Best Overall Foreign Languages & Linguistics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Foreign Languages & Linguistics Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
American University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in foreign languages & linguistics. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 42 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of American University earn a median of $52,493 early in their careers. American University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at American University
Brown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 48 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $62,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Brown University
Students looking for a strong foreign languages & linguistics program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for Purdue University Main Campus
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 79 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Stanford University
Students looking for a strong foreign languages & linguistics program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 78 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for University Of Chicago
Texas Christian University earned the #6 position for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Christian University awarded about 15 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Texas Christian University
Dartmouth College earned the #7 position for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 60 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $81,992 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Dartmouth College
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #8 position for foreign languages & linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 93 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $38,269 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,050.
See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 132 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
New York University came in at #10 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 115 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $42,500 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from New York University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #11 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 56 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 92 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for University Of Pennsylvania
Princeton University landed the #13 spot for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 96 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $67,532 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for Princeton University
Harvard University landed the #14 spot for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 98 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Harvard University
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #15 among the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 222 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $54,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree.
See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
San Jose State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for San Jose State University
Georgetown University came in at #17 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 135 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from Georgetown University earn around $37,092 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Georgetown University
Yale University came in at #18 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 75 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $74,578 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Yale University
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 215 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $28,360 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,610 in student loans.
Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 343 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $35,720 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans.
See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Drexel University earned the #21 position for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 82 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from Drexel University earn around $63,106 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Drexel University
Cornell University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 65 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $33,419 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Cornell University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #23 spot for foreign languages & linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 170 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $35,202. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from University Of California Berkeley
Villanova University placed #24 among the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 28 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $45,088 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Villanova University
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 87 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $35,409 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,286 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from University Of Missouri Columbia
Rest of the Top 50 Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong foreign languages & linguistics education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1299 schools evaluated.
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).
