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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
$22,869 Avg Student Debt
$65,467 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Literature Bachelor's Degree Badge [Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 120 schools to find the best return on investment for literature students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Literature Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the literature degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Literature Schools

1

For return on investment in literature, no school beat University Of California Los Angeles this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,093 to complete the literature program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.

2

Students looking for strong value in literature will find it at Boise State University, which ranked #2. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the literature program here. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

3

Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the literature program here. Literature graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Miami University Oxford one of the best values for literature. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

5
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Students looking for strong value in literature will find it at Hamilton College, which ranked #5. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. Literature graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Early-career literature graduates make about $48,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Pace University New York landed the #6 spot for literature value this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Literature graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career literature graduates make about $25,758. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #7 for value in literature this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the literature program here. Early-career literature graduates make about $23,868. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

8
Bennington College crest
Bennington College
Bennington, VT

Bennington College earned the #8 position for value in literature this year. Set in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,262. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Bennington College generally make around $18,152. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

9
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #9 among the best values for literature. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

10
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value literature schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $26,105. 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.

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11
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School placed #11 among the best values for literature. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $23,750. Early-career literature graduates make about $25,618. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

Other Literature Degree Levels

Explore the best-value literature schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Literature
Associate's Degrees in Literature
Master's Degrees in Literature
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View All 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 · 120 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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