2027 Best Value English Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value English Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Schools
Our analysis ranked Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg the best value for a degree in english in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,867. Early-career english graduates make about $41,382. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Students borrow a median of $29,725 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $28,216. That is a strong return on a $29,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for english graduates is $12,250. Early-career english graduates make about $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for english. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,280. Early-career english graduates make about $36,594. That is a strong return on a $27,280 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Lycoming College one of the best values for english. Located in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,804 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. English graduates of Lycoming College earn a median of $34,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lycoming College admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. English graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $29,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #7 for value in english this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $29,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for english value this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $41,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best values for english. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,350. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in english this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $25,934 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $36,865. That is a strong return on a $25,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Swarthmore College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,500. Early-career english graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for english. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,867. English graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in english this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Haverford College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,966 ten years after entry. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $29,848. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College landed the #16 spot for english value this year. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $40,151 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $22,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University came in at #19 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $25,949 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Temple University earn a median of $28,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #20 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs University earned the #21 position for value in english this year. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $31,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ursinus College placed #22 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,061. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $24,373. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Gettysburg College earned the #23 position for value in english this year. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $40,601. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. Gettysburg College admits about 39% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #24 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $27,135. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Bryn Mawr College landed the #25 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,920 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,069. English graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $35,668 early in their careers. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value English Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english value ranking:
View All English Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
