[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1675 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english language & literature students.
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Finding the Best Value English Language & Literature School for You
The right english language & literature school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value English Language & Literature Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value English Language & Literature Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for english language & literature in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,431 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $27,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,879 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $12,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #6 spot for english language & literature value this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $9,848 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,842. That is a strong return on a $9,848 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $16,950. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $47,082. Set against $16,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #8 position for value in english language & literature this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $29,133 early in their careers. Set against $13,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #9 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo earned the #10 position for value in english language & literature this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the english language & literature program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #11 for value in english language & literature this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College came in at #12 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,782 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $27,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Golden West College landed the #13 spot for english language & literature value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #14 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,391 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $34,337. Set against $11,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #15 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,000. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $14,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Pasadena City College earned the #16 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $9,191. English Language & Literature graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,548. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $23,858. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
De Anza College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #19 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Skyline College placed #20 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,195. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,446. That is a strong return on a $19,195 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #22 for value in english language & literature this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #24 among the best values for english language & literature. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. 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 english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,467. That is a strong return on a $17,371 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english language & literature:
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 · 1675 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 489 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).
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
