2026 Best Value Literature Schools

1

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Our analysis ranked Capital Community College the best value for a degree in literature in the United States. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the literature program here. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in literature, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Literature graduates carry a median of $13,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $22,704. Set against $13,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

3

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Students looking for strong value in literature will find it at Tyler Junior College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Literature graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career literature graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Literature graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career literature graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Literature graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $24,311. Literature graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

7

Sewanee The University Of The South
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee The University Of The South placed #7 among the best values for literature. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $22,091. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

8

Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $26,740. Early-career literature graduates make about $63,860. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.

9

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $24,177. Literature graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,700 early in their careers. Set against $24,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

10

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College placed #10 among the best values for literature. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Literature graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $48,806. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

11

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York landed the #11 spot for literature value this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the literature program here. Literature graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $25,758 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

12

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #12 position for value in literature this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $27,000. Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $27,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

13

Bennington College
Bennington, VT

Bennington College placed #13 among the best values for literature. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. In-state tuition and fees average $66,262. Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Literature graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $18,152 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bennington College admits about 44% of applicants.

14

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #14 for value in literature this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $21,897. Literature graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

15

American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #15 among the best values for literature. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Literature graduates carry a median of $26,105 in student loans. Literature graduates of American University earn a median of $23,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,105 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

16

The New School
New York, NY

The New School ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $23,750. Literature graduates of The New School earn a median of $25,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.