2026 Best Value English Schools in Colorado

[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.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english schools.
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2026 Best Value English Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan State College Of Denver, our #1 best value for english in Colorado. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for english graduates is $30,000. Early-career english graduates make about $35,487. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Mesa State College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. English graduates carry a median of $22,412 in student loans. English graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $33,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $34,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. English graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $25,718. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,557 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $30,689. Set against $24,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #6 position for value in english this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $25,586 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $35,364. Set against $25,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #7 for value in english this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $27,549. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #8 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,522. Early-career english graduates make about $31,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Regis University landed the #9 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. English graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. English graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver placed #10 among the best values for english. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $25,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $30,246. Set against $25,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.