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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english schools.
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 Phoenix Arizona, our #1 best value for english in Arizona. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for english graduates is $45,880. English graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $38,163 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $45,880 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $47,608. 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 Northern Arizona University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $18,981 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $29,875. That is a strong return on a $18,981 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for english. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $32,155. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.