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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Associate’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
$11,870 Avg Student Debt
$42,971 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Associate's Degree Badge [English Language & Literature](/majors/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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1675 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools

1

San Diego Mesa College earned the #1 spot for value among english language & literature schools in the United States. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for english language & literature. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $8,858. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. 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.

5
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

A rank of #5 makes Golden West College one of the best values for english language & literature. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

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6

Pasadena City College earned the #6 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. 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.

7
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College ranked #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College earned the #9 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

10

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #10 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. 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.

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Mt San Antonio College earned the #11 position for value in english language & literature this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. 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.

12
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #12 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $5,707. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Fresno City College landed the #13 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College landed the #14 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.

15

Austin Community College District ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,799 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College came in at #16 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17
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Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #17 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Santiago Canyon College placed #18 among the best values for english language & literature. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College placed #19 among the best values for english language & literature. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $14,308. English Language & Literature graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
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Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $9,205. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.

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21

Irvine Valley College came in at #21 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

El Camino Community College District landed the #22 spot for english language & literature value this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.

23
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

24
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College landed the #24 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,643. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.

25
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College came in at #25 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english language & literature:

26
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
27
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
28
29
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
30
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA
31
32
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
33
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
34
35
36
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
37
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA
38
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
39
40
41
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
42
43
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
44
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
45
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
46
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
47
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
48
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA
49
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
50
Cosumnes River College crest
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Other English Language & Literature Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value English Language & Literature rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in English Language & Literature
Bachelor's Degrees in English Language & Literature
Master's Degrees in English Language & Literature
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View All English Language & Literature Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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