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2026 Best Value English Schools in Alabama

8 Colleges in the United States
$23,970 Avg Student Debt
$53,487 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value English Badge [English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.

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2026 Best Value English Schools in Alabama

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value English Schools

1

University Of North Alabama tops our 2026 list of the best value english schools in Alabama. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $26,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Troy University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. English graduates carry a median of $25,924 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $25,888. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville State University earned it the #3 place for english. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $23,267 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $37,774. That is a strong return on a $23,267 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in english will find it at University Of South Alabama, which ranked #4. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. English graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $40,486. Set against $23,505 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in english will find it at University Of Alabama At Birmingham, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,946. English graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $32,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #6 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,797. English graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

7

The University Of Alabama placed #7 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,250. English graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $25,045 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

8
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. English graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. English graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $33,213 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.

9
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University landed the #9 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. English graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. English graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

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Notes and References

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 · 24 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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