by our College Data Analytics Team
[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 93 schools to find the best return on investment for general english literature students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general english literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Swarthmore College, our #1 best value for general english literature in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #2 makes Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for general english literature. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington one of the best values for general english literature. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #4 place for general english literature. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #6 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for value in general english literature this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $27,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $41,236. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,934. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #14 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Haverford College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for value in general english literature this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $28,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Washington And Jefferson College earned the #17 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,392. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $37,046. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington And Jefferson College admits about 81% of applicants.
Arcadia University came in at #18 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $46,764. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Messiah College earned the #19 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,000. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $22,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University earned the #20 position for value in general english literature this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,949 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Temple University earn a median of $28,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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Gettysburg College placed #22 among the best values for general english literature. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,640. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $40,601. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #23 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $27,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for value in general english literature this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,967. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Ursinus College came in at #25 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,061. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $24,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ursinus College admits about 92% of applicants.
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general english literature:
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This list is compiled 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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.