2026 Best Value Romance Languages Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Romance Languages](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/romance-languages/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 171 schools to find the best return on investment for romance languages students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Romance Languages Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the romance languages degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Romance Languages Schools
For return on investment in romance languages, no school beat Princeton University this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in romance languages, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $8,617. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $35,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in romance languages will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $37,654 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #4 place for romance languages. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $15,523 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $30,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $19,777 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $39,714 early in their careers. Set against $19,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University came in at #6 for value in romance languages this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $47,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #7 for value in romance languages this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, romance languages 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.
Kean University came in at #8 for value in romance languages this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $30,812. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $42,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Stony Brook University placed #9 among the best values for romance languages. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $19,212 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $43,821. Set against $19,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for romance languages. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $26,466 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #11 position for value in romance languages this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $28,681. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Romance Languages graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $54,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $32,718. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Rowan University landed the #14 spot for romance languages value this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $27,000. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $33,081. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #15 position for value in romance languages this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $31,335. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University placed #16 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Temple University earn a median of $31,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #17 position for value in romance languages this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the romance languages program here. Soon after graduation, romance languages degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $29,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cornell University came in at #18 for value in romance languages this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Romance Languages graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $33,419. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
New York University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value romance languages schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages 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 placed #21 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the romance languages program here. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $63,106. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Vassar College came in at #22 for value in romance languages this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for romance languages graduates is $19,000. Early-career romance languages graduates make about $28,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Georgetown University placed #23 among the best values for romance languages. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the romance languages program here. Romance Languages graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $46,190 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
