2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in New York

[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general english literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for general english literature students.
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2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General English Literature Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general english literature in New York. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $12,431. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $27,958 early in their careers. Set against $12,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $9,848 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,842. That is a strong return on a $9,848 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $9,500. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $28,290 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $11,557. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $29,557. That is a strong return on a $11,557 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College placed #6 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,782 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $27,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in general english literature this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,391 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $34,337. Set against $11,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $17,371 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $33,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #10 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $5,700 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $24,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College placed #11 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $11,246. General English Literature graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $16,912. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $27,142. Set against $16,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #13 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $12,531 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #14 position for value in general english literature this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College came in at #15 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $12,573 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $26,460. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #16 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $21,606 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $29,480. That is a strong return on a $21,606 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #17 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,090. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $27,954. That is a strong return on a $26,090 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo placed #18 among the best values for general english literature. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $29,422. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #19 among the best values for general english literature. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Saint Josephs College New York earn a median of $28,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #20 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $34,764. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego placed #21 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $31,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny At Albany came in at #22 for value in general english literature this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,940. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Mercy College placed #23 among the best values for general english literature. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $37,517. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #24 for value in general english literature this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $21,024. General English Literature graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $24,995 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #25 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Students borrow a median of $24,920 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $27,593 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,920 median debt. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General English Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general english literature this year:
More General English Literature Rankings
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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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.