by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 89 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value english schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value english schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. English graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the english program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #3 place 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. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for english. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english 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 Southern Nevada landed the #6 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. 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 #7 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,500. English 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.
Oxnard College placed #9 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #10 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for english graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #11 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. English graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #12 position for value in english 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. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College earned the #13 position for value in english this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. English graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #14 position for value in english this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #15 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Modesto Junior College came in at #16 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. English graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. English graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. English graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #19 for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #20 for value in english this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. English graduates carry a median of $5,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $24,207. That is a strong return on a $5,700 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #21 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the english program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #22 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,250. Early-career english graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #23 spot for english value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
El Camino Community College District earned the #24 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Palomar College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value English rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 89 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.