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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Pennsylvania

26 Colleges in the United States
$24,538 Avg Student Debt
$67,810 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value English Language & Literature 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 103 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Pennsylvania

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

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools

1
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College earned the #1 spot for value among english language & literature schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #3 place for english language & literature. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington, which ranked #4. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg one of the best values for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Students borrow a median of $26,590 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $34,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #6 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Pennsylvania Western University placed #7 among the best values for english language & literature. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

8

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #8 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,590. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $32,749. That is a strong return on a $26,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

9

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #10 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,280 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. Set against $27,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

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Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for english language & literature value this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $41,236. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.

13

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $25,934 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,865. Set against $25,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in english language & literature this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,242 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

15

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #16 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

17
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $53,485. That is a strong return on a $26,556 median debt. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.

18
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.

19

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,005. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

20

Washington And Jefferson College landed the #20 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,392 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Washington And Jefferson College earn a median of $37,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

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Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University earned the #21 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $27,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

22
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University landed the #22 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $19,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

23
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,352. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.

24
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College came in at #24 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $22,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

25
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #25 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,949 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Temple University earn a median of $25,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,949 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 42 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools

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

26
27
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
28
29
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
30
31
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
32
33
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
34
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
35
36
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
37
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA
38
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
39
40
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
41
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
42
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 103 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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