[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 656 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
The english program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value English Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value English Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among english schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $35,178. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. 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 graduates carry a median of $12,431 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $27,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for english. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. English graduates carry a median of $9,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $31,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for english graduates is $11,391. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $34,337. Set against $11,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $28,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Moorpark College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida earned the #8 position for value in english this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,950 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $47,082. Set against $16,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #9 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. English graduates carry a median of $13,782 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $27,082. Set against $13,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
College Of San Mateo earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the english program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #11 for value in english this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $11,557 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,557 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for english graduates is $13,812. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $29,133. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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 graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $23,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Diego Mesa College placed #14 among the best values for english. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $14,407. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #16 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. English graduates carry a median of $17,371 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $33,467. That is a strong return on a $17,371 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #17 among the best values for english. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #18 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the english program here. English graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $9,980. English graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #21 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. English graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. English graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for english graduates is $13,875. English graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $23,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Golden West College came in at #23 for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Oxnard College earned the #24 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santiago Canyon College placed #25 among the best values for english. Santiago Canyon College is a very 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 program here. English graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 656 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 656 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](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) 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.
