by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among english schools in New Jersey. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for english graduates is $10,888. Early-career english graduates make about $35,178. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Hudson County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Jersey City University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. English graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $37,244 early in their careers. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for english graduates is $30,679. English graduates of Kean University earn a median of $36,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,679 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,092. Early-career english graduates make about $31,317. Set against $25,092 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Passaic County Community College placed #6 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #7 for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,724 to complete the english program here. English graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $27,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,724 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Rutgers University Camden placed #8 among the best values for english. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $39,772. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. English graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $39,772. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,750. Early-career english graduates make about $30,338. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #11 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University earned the #12 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,110 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Georgian Court University generally make around $44,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rowan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $26,554 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $37,815. Set against $26,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #14 among the best values for english. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. English graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $39,772 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Rider University placed #15 among the best values for english. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $41,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $48,601. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #16 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $49,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University earned the #17 position for value in english this year. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $32,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Seton Hall University came in at #18 for value in english this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Students borrow a median of $25,139 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $48,368. That is a strong return on a $25,139 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University landed the #19 spot for english value this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $50,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
15
16
17
18
19
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
