2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in California
[French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong french language & literature education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for french language & literature students.
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2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in french language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Mesa College, our #1 best value for french language & literature in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $6,999. French Language & Literature graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for french language & literature. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at Grossmont College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in french language & literature will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for french language & literature value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College earned the #7 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #8 spot for french language & literature value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $14,813. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $46,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
De Anza College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
California State University Fullerton came in at #11 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $8,480 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Solano Community College landed the #12 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the french language & literature program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,170 ten years after entry. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #13 for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #14 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,967 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $18,490 early in their careers. Set against $10,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Chabot College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Palomar College placed #16 among the best values for french language & literature. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
El Camino Community College District placed #17 among the best values for french language & literature. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno placed #18 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. 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.
Long Beach City College came in at #19 for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $15,184. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Miracosta College earned the #21 position for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #22 position for value in french language & literature this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the french language & literature program here. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach placed #23 among the best values for french language & literature. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $21,609. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento earned the #24 position for value in french language & literature this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $34,117 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca placed #25 among the best values for french language & literature. Set in the city of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,191, while out-of-state students pay about $10,935. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the french language & literature program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,540. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s french language & literature value ranking:
More French Language & Literature Rankings
View All French Language & Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
