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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools

137 Colleges in the United States
$20,447 Avg Student Debt
$65,306 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Bachelor's Degree Badge [French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 544 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for french language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the french language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value French Language & Literature Schools

1

For return on investment in french language & literature, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $37,654. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $8,617 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $35,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

4
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

5
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #5 place for french language & literature. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

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California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $8,480 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for french language & literature value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,967 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $18,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,967 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for french language & literature. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

9
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #9 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,523 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

10

California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best values for french language & literature. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $15,184. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $15,184 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

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California State University Fresno earned the #11 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $20,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

12
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for french language & literature. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

13

Weber State University came in at #13 for value in french language & literature this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $12,000. French Language & Literature graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $27,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

San Jose State University came in at #14 for value in french language & literature this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State University Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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California State University Sacramento earned the #16 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $34,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

17

University Of California Irvine ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $9,500. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $36,692 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

18

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #18 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,559 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $17,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

19

California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $10,250. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $21,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #20 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $16,261. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $35,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $45,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #22 position for value in french language & literature this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,559 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $34,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

23

West Virginia University placed #23 among the best values for french language & literature. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

24

Washington State University landed the #24 spot for french language & literature value this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of California Berkeley placed #25 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $40,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in french language & literature:

26
27
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
28
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30
31
32
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other French Language & Literature Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value French Language & Literature rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in French Language & Literature
Associate's Degrees in French Language & Literature
Master's Degrees in French Language & Literature
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View All French Language & Literature Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 544 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 137 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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