2026 Best Foreign Languages & Linguistics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for Purdue University Main Campus

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in foreign languages & linguistics, ranking #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 78 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for University Of Chicago

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for foreign languages & linguistics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students 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. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $35,720 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

Students looking for a strong foreign languages & linguistics program will find one at University Of Detroit Mercy, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from University Of Detroit Mercy earn around $76,755 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,053. See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for University Of Detroit Mercy

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for foreign languages & linguistics. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 131 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $26,886. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $17,496 in student loans. More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #6 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 80 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $41,109 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,524. Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #7 spot for foreign languages & linguistics this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $61,829 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,559. Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

8

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #8 among the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $31,569 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,740 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Grand Valley State University

9

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $58,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,698 to complete this degree. Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for Loyola University Chicago

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #10 spot for foreign languages & linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 108 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $33,845 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,092 in student loans. More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

11

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,338. More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Benedictine University

12

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University landed the #12 spot for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete this degree. Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for Cedarville University

13

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 209 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,857 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,065 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Ohio State University Main Campus

14

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #14 among the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. About 49% of students finish within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 17 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $40,586 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at Northern Illinois University

15

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #15 among the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 21 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $25,146 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete this degree. See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for Oberlin College

16

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #16 position for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 20 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from University Of Toledo earn around $52,675 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete this degree. Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at University Of Toledo

17

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #17 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 109 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $30,504. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

18

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 32 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $26,584. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

19

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #19 for foreign languages & linguistics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 142 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their foreign languages & linguistics degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $31,800 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $17,465 in student loans. More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Indiana University Bloomington

20

Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College placed #20 among the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Kalamazoo College in the most recent data year. Foreign Languages & Linguistics graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for Kalamazoo College

21

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #21 position for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $36,326 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,789. More information about a degree in foreign languages & linguistics from Michigan State University

22

University Of Mount Union
Alliance, OH

University Of Mount Union placed #22 among the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Mount Union graduates 59% of students within six years. University Of Mount Union awarded about 22 foreign languages & linguistics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $52,058. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at University Of Mount Union

23

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 10 foreign languages & linguistics degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $47,216 in their early career. University Of Southern Indiana graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. See the full foreign languages & linguistics program report for University Of Southern Indiana

24

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford earned the #24 position for foreign languages & linguistics this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, foreign languages & linguistics degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $39,220. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $20,702 in student loans. Get the full foreign languages & linguistics details for Miami University Oxford

25

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best foreign languages & linguistics schools. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 foreign languages & linguistics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the foreign languages & linguistics program make about $49,045 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,347. Read more about the foreign languages & linguistics program at University Of Akron Main Campus