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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for general english literature students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of Phoenix Arizona the best value for a degree in general english literature in Arizona. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $45,880. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $38,163. Set against $45,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for general english literature. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,608. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $18,981. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $29,875. That is a strong return on a $18,981 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place for general english literature. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $32,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.