2026 Best Value Romance Languages Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among romance languages schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for romance languages. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $17,559 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $61,829. Set against $17,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

3

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #3 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for romance languages. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $21,250. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $40,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in romance languages, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $17,677. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $22,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for romance languages. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,800 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $38,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

6

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #6 position for value in romance languages this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $19,543 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $32,084. Set against $19,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

7

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #7 position for value in romance languages this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $14,000. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $33,307. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $26,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #9 position for value in romance languages this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $29,053. Romance Languages graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $35,720. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #11 among the best values for romance languages. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $37,018. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

12

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #12 position for value in romance languages this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $23,524. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $41,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

13

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $22,746. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $27,815. That is a strong return on a $22,746 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

14

Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College placed #14 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $37,374. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.

15

Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI

Andrews University earned the #15 position for value in romance languages this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

16

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #16 among the best values for romance languages. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $22,375. Romance Languages graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,448 early in their careers. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

17

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $32,630 early in their careers. Set against $28,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

18

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #18 for value in romance languages this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $35,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

19

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent placed #19 among the best values for romance languages. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

20

University Of Mount Union
Alliance, OH

University Of Mount Union came in at #20 for value in romance languages this year. Set in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $52,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $30,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College landed the #22 spot for romance languages value this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $38,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

23

Saint Norbert College
De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College landed the #23 spot for romance languages value this year. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $26,578. Romance Languages graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $48,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,578 median debt. Saint Norbert College admits about 86% of applicants.

24

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #24 position for value in romance languages this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $26,650. Romance Languages graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $37,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

25

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford landed the #25 spot for romance languages value this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $20,702 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $39,220. Set against $20,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.