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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 134 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for english in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $16,950 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $47,082. That is a strong return on a $16,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for english. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,794 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $40,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $43,649. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #4 place for english. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,871 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $27,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for english. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $23,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $30,696 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for english value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. English graduates carry a median of $21,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $30,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #8 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $16,945 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $27,396. That is a strong return on a $16,945 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida ranked #9 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Fayetteville State University placed #10 among the best values for english. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $41,449. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Louisiana State University Alexandria came in at #11 for value in english this year. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,656 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Louisiana Tech University placed #12 among the best values for english. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,846. Early-career english graduates make about $49,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Georgia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $35,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in english this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $24,585 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. English graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. English graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Fairmont State University earned the #16 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,447 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $45,920 early in their careers. Set against $26,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Marshall University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $30,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #18 for value in english this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $39,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,494 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #20 spot for english value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $11,653. English graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #21 among the best values for english. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $16,144 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $27,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. English graduates carry a median of $25,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $37,486. Set against $25,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #23 spot for english value this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,089. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith landed the #24 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. English graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University earned the #25 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,896 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $48,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for english this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
