2026 Best Value English Schools in Kentucky
[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.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english schools.
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2026 Best Value English Schools in Kentucky
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in english in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,585. English graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $39,783. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morehead State University earned it the #3 place for english. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,896. English graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $48,292 early in their careers. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for english. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. English graduates carry a median of $23,648 in student loans. English graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $20,091 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,648 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for english. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,232 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $27,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $21,404. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #8 spot for english value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $28,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Asbury University placed #9 among the best values for english. Located in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,104 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Asbury University earn a median of $50,086 early in their careers. Set against $28,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Centre College came in at #10 for value in english this year. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. English graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $32,327. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Bellarmine University placed #11 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,770. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $32,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
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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 7 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.
