2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[French Language & Literature](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/french-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong french language & literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 115 schools to find the best return on investment for french language & literature students.
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2026 Best Value French Language & Literature Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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 Princeton University, our #1 best value for french language & literature in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the french language & literature program here. 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. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for french language & literature. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,617 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $35,941 early in their careers. Set against $8,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for french language & literature. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $37,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for french language & literature. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $15,523 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $30,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,523 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in french language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $39,516. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #6 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $47,487. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Stony Brook University landed the #7 spot for french language & literature value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $19,212. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #8 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,466 in student loans. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #9 for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $28,681. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $54,327. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #11 position for value in french language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $32,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $31,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rowan University placed #13 among the best values for french language & literature. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the french language & literature program here. French Language & Literature graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $33,081 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Temple University placed #14 among the best values for french language & literature. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $26,000. Early-career french language & literature graduates make about $31,297. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #15 spot for french language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $27,000. French Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $29,617 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Cornell University landed the #16 spot for french language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in french language & literature this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
New York University came in at #18 for value in french language & literature this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $21,897. French Language & Literature graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value french language & literature schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for french language & literature graduates is $28,000. French Language & Literature graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $63,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Vassar College came in at #20 for value in french language & literature this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. French Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. French Language & Literature graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $28,999 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University landed the #21 spot for french language & literature value this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the french language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, french language & literature degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $46,190. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
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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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
