2027 Best Value English Master’s Degree Schools
[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 108 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value english schools.
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2027 Best Value English Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in english in the United States. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. 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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $34,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for english graduates is $14,750. Early-career english graduates make about $23,858. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for english. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $27,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,531. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. English graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. English graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #8 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
California State University Long Beach placed #9 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,749 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,917. Set against $13,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #10 spot for english value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $43,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #11 spot for english value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. English graduates carry a median of $18,871 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $27,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #12 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,912. Early-career english graduates make about $23,264. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #13 for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,501. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $30,425. Set against $21,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Weber State University landed the #14 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $12,399 in student loans. English graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $34,224 early in their careers. Set against $12,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #15 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for english graduates is $11,125. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $29,181. That is a strong return on a $11,125 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $25,035. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #17 position for value in english this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for english graduates is $16,945. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $27,396. That is a strong return on a $16,945 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #18 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #19 spot for english value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,243 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $36,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,267. English graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $31,004 early in their careers. Set against $25,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $13,407 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $43,470 early in their careers. Set against $13,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #22 for value in english this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $48,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #23 spot for english value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University landed the #24 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $30,195. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $25,053 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $31,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english value ranking:
Other English Degree Levels
Explore the best-value english schools at other degree levels:
View All English Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 108 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.
