by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in english, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $28,290. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for english. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $34,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for english graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for english. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. English graduates carry a median of $11,557 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $29,557. Set against $11,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $14,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
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California State University Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $23,858. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,749 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $35,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,452. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. English graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $32,531. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #10 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,649 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,871. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $27,037. That is a strong return on a $18,871 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida placed #12 among the best values for english. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $25,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Central Florida placed #13 among the best values for english. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. English graduates carry a median of $21,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $30,425. Set against $21,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Florida earned the #14 position for value in english this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $16,945 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $27,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. English graduates carry a median of $12,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $34,224. Set against $12,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #17 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,176. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. English graduates carry a median of $11,125 in student loans. English graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $29,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming came in at #19 for value in english this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,415 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $33,677. That is a strong return on a $20,415 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras came in at #20 for value in english this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. English graduates carry a median of $5,673 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $24,881. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Truman State University placed #21 among the best values for english. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,844 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $29,001. That is a strong return on a $22,844 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. English graduates carry a median of $13,407 in student loans. English graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $43,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University placed #23 among the best values for english. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $28,395 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $38,171. Set against $28,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Francisco State University earned the #24 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,243. Early-career english graduates make about $36,450. Set against $17,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot for english value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,045. Early-career english graduates make about $31,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
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Explore the best-value english schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 108 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
