by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 230 schools to build this 2026 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.
For return on investment in english, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the english program here. English graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar 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 $8,098 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot 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, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for english. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,075. English graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #5 place for english. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the english program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. English graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cerritos College earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. English graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #8 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #9 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $7,234. English graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
West Valley College landed the #10 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for english graduates is $14,308. Early-career english graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Irvine Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #13 spot for english value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the english program here. English graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College landed the #14 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. English graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. English graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #16 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. English graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. English graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College placed #17 among the best values for english. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for english graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #18 among the best values for english. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. English graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Ventura College placed #19 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #20 for value in english this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College landed the #21 spot for english value this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. English graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #22 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. English graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $23,858. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Shasta College earned the #23 position for value in english this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for english graduates is $12,275. Early-career english graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College landed the #24 spot for english value this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for english graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton earned the #25 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. English graduates carry a median of $13,812 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $29,133. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
These schools also delivered strong value for english this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 230 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.