2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in North Carolina
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,794 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $40,247. That is a strong return on a $14,794 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for english language & literature. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $29,494. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wake Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318. English Language & Literature graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary earn a median of $54,863 early in their careers. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville State University earned it the #4 place for english language & literature. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $41,449 early in their careers. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,071 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $33,330 early in their careers. Set against $23,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #6 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $30,995 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #7 among the best values for english language & literature. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,752 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $19,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,752 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Carolina University came in at #8 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $29,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $21,680. English Language & Literature graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $47,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $42,873. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #11 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,430 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $23,397. Set against $21,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Davidson College came in at #12 for value in english language & literature this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,906. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $34,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
East Carolina University earned the #13 position for value in english language & literature this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $25,400. English Language & Literature graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $29,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #14 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,909 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $24,210 early in their careers. Set against $26,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Warren Wilson College landed the #15 spot for english language & literature value this year. Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Swannanoa. Students from in state pay about $41,500 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,260. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University landed the #16 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $63,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
Queens University Of Charlotte came in at #17 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Queens University Of Charlotte generally make around $49,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University came in at #18 for value in english language & literature this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $31,449. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Duke University earned the #19 position for value in english language & literature this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $15,362 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $34,962. That is a strong return on a $15,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
High Point University came in at #20 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University earned the #21 position for value in english language & literature this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $36,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
