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Linguistic Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

CUNY schools dominate the nation's most affordable linguistic studies programs, with Hunter College offering net costs as low as $2,446 annually. This concentration in New York reflects the city's role as a global language center, where translation services and international business drive demand for multilingual professionals. The earnings gap tells an interesting story: CUNY Queens College graduates earn $26,896 compared to Brooklyn College's $12,776, despite similar program costs around $3,000. California State universities also feature prominently, with Fullerton and San Bernardino providing West Coast alternatives under $6,000. Ohio University's regional campuses offer the lowest sticker prices but show concerning graduation rates below 20% at some locations. The field connects directly to America's growing need for interpreters and translators, particularly in healthcare and legal services where federal regulations require language access. These programs prepare students for careers spanning from diplomatic services to tech companies expanding globally.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $11,877
Net Price Range
$23,484
Avg. Program Earnings
49.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
4 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
5 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
6 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
7 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
8 $4,536 $6,916 61.8% 75.4%
9 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
10 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
11 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
12 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
13 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
14 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
15 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
16 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
17 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
18 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
19 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
20 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
21 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
22 $7,233 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
23 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
24 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
25 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
26 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
27 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
28 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
29 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
30 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
31 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
32 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
33 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
34 $10,705 $6,900 21.5%
35 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
36 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
37 $10,785 $5,009 36.8% 69.6%
38 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
39 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
40 $11,147 $9,172 42.5% 69.8%
41 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
42 $11,257 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
43 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
44 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
45 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
46 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
47 $11,633 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
48 $11,729 $10,920 46.3% 85.4%
49 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
50 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings difference between CUNY schools in the same major?

CUNY Queens College graduates earn $26,896 compared to Brooklyn College's $12,776, despite both programs costing around $3,000 annually. Queens College maintains a 69.48% acceptance rate while achieving a 60.2% graduation rate, suggesting stronger program completion. The location in Queens provides access to more international business opportunities and specialized language service companies that pay higher salaries.

How do California State University programs compare to CUNY options?

Cal State Fullerton costs $5,646 net compared to CUNY's $2,446-$3,830 range, but offers a 69.2% graduation rate. San Bernardino graduates earn $26,625, matching the higher CUNY earnings at Queens College. Both California schools accept over 65% of applicants, providing more accessible admission than competitive East Coast alternatives.

Is Ohio University worth considering despite low graduation rates?

Ohio University's regional campuses show graduation rates between 13.7% and 20%, significantly below the national average. Eastern Campus costs $4,503 net with only a 20% graduation rate, while Lancaster Campus graduates just 13.7% of students. The low completion rates suggest students should carefully evaluate support services before enrolling.

Does location affect job prospects for linguistics graduates?

New York and California dominate this list because both states employ large numbers of interpreters and translators. CUNY Queens College's $26,896 median earnings reflect New York's concentration of international organizations and immigrant communities. California's tech industry also creates demand for localization specialists, explaining why Cal State San Bernardino graduates earn $26,625 annually.

What makes Hunter College the most affordable option nationwide?

CUNY Hunter College's $2,446 net cost combines New York's generous state aid with relatively low tuition. The 61% graduation rate exceeds most other CUNY campuses, while the 47.86% acceptance rate maintains selectivity. Hunter's Manhattan location provides internship access to UN agencies, publishing houses, and international nonprofits that value linguistic expertise.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.