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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in english, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for english graduates is $10,888. Early-career english graduates make about $35,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for english graduates is $9,668. English graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #3 place for english. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for english graduates is $30,679. Early-career english graduates make about $36,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #4. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,092. English graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $31,317 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned it the #5 place for english. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,014. Early-career english graduates make about $48,545. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
New Jersey City University placed #6 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. English graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. English graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $37,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. English graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $39,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #8 position for value in english this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. English graduates carry a median of $25,724 in student loans. English graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $27,573 early in their careers. Set against $25,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University landed the #9 spot for english value this year. Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $37,110. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. English graduates of Georgian Court University earn a median of $44,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #10 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $39,772 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #11 spot for english value this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. English graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. English graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $30,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rowan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,554. English graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $37,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Drew University placed #13 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Drew University earn a median of $32,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #14 for value in english this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $39,772 early in their careers. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rider University earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $48,601. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #16 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. English graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $49,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Monmouth University placed #17 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $50,737. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monmouth University admits about 89% of applicants.
Seton Hall University placed #18 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $25,139 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $48,368. Set against $25,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
