[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1514 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english schools.
The right english school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value English Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value English Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in english in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for english. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. English graduates carry a median of $12,431 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $27,958. Set against $12,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for english graduates is $9,500. Early-career english graduates make about $28,290. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. English graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,950 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $47,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #7 among the best values for english. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $9,848 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $31,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #8 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $29,133. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #9 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,782 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $27,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
College Of San Mateo placed #11 among the best values for english. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the english program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College placed #13 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. English graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. English graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #14 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $11,391 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $34,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for english graduates is $13,000. English graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $14,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Pasadena City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $9,191. Early-career english graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College landed the #17 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for english graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #18 spot for english value this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. English graduates carry a median of $11,557 in student loans. English graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #19 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $23,858. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #20 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #21 spot for english value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. English graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College placed #22 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #23 position for value in english this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield placed #25 among the best values for english. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
English is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 1514 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 490 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).
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
