by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value english schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Miami University Middletown the best value for a degree in english in Ohio. Miami University Middletown is a small public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $27,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami University Hamilton earned it the #2 place for english. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $27,356. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #3 place for english. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $22,831. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $28,649 early in their careers. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $24,140 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $25,560. Set against $24,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for english. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. English graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $44,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #7 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $23,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #8 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. English graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $24,301. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #9 for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,000. Early-career english graduates make about $22,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in english this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $51,403. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Wooster earned the #11 position for value in english this year. Set in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $26,717 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $30,746. Set against $26,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $27,354. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Cedarville University landed the #13 spot for english value this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford came in at #14 for value in english this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $40,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #15 among the best values for english. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $26,760. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
John Carroll University landed the #16 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,188. English graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $29,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Dayton came in at #17 for value in english this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. English graduates carry a median of $24,398 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $30,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Xavier University placed #18 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,798. English graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $25,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College came in at #19 for value in english this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. English graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $29,962. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Oberlin College landed the #20 spot for english value this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $19,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Case Western Reserve University landed the #21 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $26,420 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. That is a strong return on a $26,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.