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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value english schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Morris, our #1 best value for english in Minnesota. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,080. Early-career english graduates make about $44,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at University Of Minnesota Crookston, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. English graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. English graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $48,840 early in their careers. Set against $26,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $31,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $21,482 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $28,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Winona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #6 among the best values for english. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,191. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $35,118. That is a strong return on a $24,191 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $26,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $29,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #8 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $25,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
St Catherine University landed the #9 spot for english value this year. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $60,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $33,456. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
St Olaf College came in at #11 for value in english this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,715. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $29,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Concordia College At Moorhead placed #12 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. Students borrow a median of $26,637 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $44,611. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. Concordia College At Moorhead admits about 63% of applicants.
Carleton College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $21,167 in student loans. English graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $20,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #14 for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,756. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $47,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.