TopUniversitiesUSA

California Languages & Linguistics Universities

Compare 206 programs at 80 universities in California — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

80 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
1
UC University of California-Irvine logo

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #4 QS World #189 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$14,251/yr
Admission rate
29%
Earnings (10yr)
$80,735
Students
30,197
2
UC University of California-Santa Barbara logo

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California · Public University · Est. 1891

US #5 QS World #200 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$16,109/yr
Admission rate
33%
Earnings (10yr)
$74,915
Students
23,113
3
UC University of California-Santa Cruz logo

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #12 QS World #380 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$17,890/yr
Admission rate
66%
Earnings (10yr)
$68,396
Students
17,940
4
UC University of California-Riverside logo

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, California · Public University · Est. 1954

US #13 QS World #400 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$14,304/yr
Admission rate
76%
Earnings (10yr)
$67,699
Students
22,593
5
US University of Southern California logo

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California · Private University · Est. 1880

US #51 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$32,740/yr
Admission rate
10%
Earnings (10yr)
$92,498
Students
20,443
6
UC University of California-Berkeley logo

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, California · Public University · Est. 1868

US #90 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$13,481/yr
Admission rate
11%
Earnings (10yr)
$92,446
Students
33,068
7
UC University of California-Los Angeles logo

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California · Public University · Est. 1919

US #95 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$12,548/yr
Admission rate
9%
Earnings (10yr)
$82,511
Students
33,475
8
UC University of California-Davis logo

University of California-Davis

Davis, California · Public University · Est. 1905

US #108 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$14,741/yr
Admission rate
42%
Earnings (10yr)
$80,838
Students
32,253
9
SD San Diego State University logo

San Diego State University

San Diego, California · Public University · Est. 1897

US #148 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$15,364/yr
Admission rate
36%
Earnings (10yr)
$64,909
Students
35,377
10
SF San Francisco State University logo

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California · Public University · Est. 1899

US #155 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$12,278/yr
Admission rate
96%
Earnings (10yr)
$68,077
Students
18,639
11
UC University of California-San Diego logo

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, California · Public University · Est. 1960

US #189 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$12,470/yr
Admission rate
27%
Earnings (10yr)
$84,943
Students
34,948
12
SU Stanford University logo

Stanford University

Stanford, California · Private University · Est. 1885

US #198 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$13,807/yr
Admission rate
4%
Earnings (10yr)
$124,080
Students
7,554
13
CS California State University-Long Beach logo

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, California · Public University · Est. 1949

US #199 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$10,440/yr
Admission rate
46%
Earnings (10yr)
$64,403
Students
35,924
14
SJ San Jose State University logo

San Jose State University

San Jose, California · Public University · Est. 1857

US #212 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$13,760/yr
Admission rate
85%
Earnings (10yr)
$78,988
Students
27,601
15
US University of San Diego logo

University of San Diego

San Diego, California · Private University · Est. 1949

US #219 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$30,365/yr
Admission rate
52%
Earnings (10yr)
$86,522
Students
5,671
16
CS California State University-Northridge logo

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, California · Public University · Est. 1958

US #250 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$7,021/yr
Admission rate
93%
Earnings (10yr)
$59,115
Students
32,691
17
UP University of the Pacific logo

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California · Private University · Est. 1851

US #253 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$25,447/yr
Admission rate
71%
Earnings (10yr)
$78,445
Students
3,204
18
CS California State University-Los Angeles logo

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California · Public University · Est. 1947

US #257 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$3,967/yr
Admission rate
91%
Earnings (10yr)
$59,211
Students
19,562
19
CS California State University-Fresno logo

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, California · Public University · Est. 1911

US #274 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$7,000/yr
Admission rate
95%
Earnings (10yr)
$61,244
Students
21,605
20
CS California State University-Fullerton logo

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, California · Public University · Est. 1957

US #310 ROI A Admissions open
Net price
$6,555/yr
Admission rate
91%
Earnings (10yr)
$62,951
Students
38,546
21
UR University of Redlands logo

University of Redlands

Redlands, California · Private University · Est. 1907

US #327 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$30,031/yr
Admission rate
83%
Earnings (10yr)
$72,690
Students
2,049
23
CB California Baptist University logo

California Baptist University

Riverside, California · Private University · Est. 1950

US #345 ROI C Admissions open
Net price
$26,285/yr
Admission rate
85%
Earnings (10yr)
$61,504
Students
8,179
24
NU National University logo

National University

San Diego, California · Private University · Est. 1971

US #348 ROI B Admissions open
Net price
$22,878/yr
Earnings (10yr)
$67,548
Students
10,794

What this subject pays

Graduates of Languages & Linguistics programmes report a median $31,996 two years after finishing, across 420 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $23,000.

Languages & Linguistics pay by degree level →

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for languages & Linguistics universities in California?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include University of California-Irvine, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of California-Santa Cruz. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study languages & Linguistics universities in California?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying languages & Linguistics universities in California?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

Why study in California?

Filtering by California keeps living costs, in-state tuition eligibility and part-time work in one place — the results above are limited to institutions located there.

About languages & Linguistics universities in California

This page lists languages & Linguistics universities in California held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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