2026 Best Value English Schools in the Southeast Region
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 339 schools to find the best return on investment for english students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in english in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for english graduates is $16,950. Early-career english graduates make about $47,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #2. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. English graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $23,264. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $43,649. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes Florida International University one of the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,871 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $27,037. Set against $18,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for english. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. English graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $25,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,500. Early-career english graduates make about $30,696. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #7 for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for english graduates is $16,144. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $27,097. That is a strong return on a $16,144 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #8 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. English graduates carry a median of $16,945 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $27,396. That is a strong return on a $16,945 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #9 position for value in english this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,794 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $40,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,794 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University placed #10 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. English graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $41,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #11 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,501 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $30,425 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,501 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earned the #12 position for value in english this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. English graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for english. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $29,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fairmont State University landed the #14 spot for english value this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,447. English graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $45,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Northern Kentucky University placed #15 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,585. Early-career english graduates make about $31,926. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia landed the #17 spot for english value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,500. English graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $35,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Marshall University earned the #18 position for value in english this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $30,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #19 for value in english this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University landed the #20 spot for english value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,000. Early-career english graduates make about $39,783. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Trident Technical College placed #21 among the best values for english. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,116. English graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #22 for value in english this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Mcneese State University earned the #23 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,433 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $46,529. That is a strong return on a $24,433 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Morehead State University placed #25 among the best values for english. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. English graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $48,292. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 339 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 110 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.
