[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) 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 1514 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general english literature schools.
Finding the Best Value General English Literature School for You
Where you study general english literature affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value General English Literature Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General English Literature Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,431 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $27,958. That is a strong return on a $12,431 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for general english literature. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $28,290. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Florida earned the #6 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $16,950 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $47,082. That is a strong return on a $16,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #7 among the best values for general english literature. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $9,848 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,842. Set against $9,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton placed #8 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $13,812. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $29,133. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #9 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $8,858. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College came in at #10 for value in general english literature this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $13,782 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $27,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,782 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
College Of San Mateo landed the #11 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general english literature program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College placed #12 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #13 among the best values for general english literature. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #14 for value in general english literature this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $11,391 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $34,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #15 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $14,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pasadena City College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College placed #17 among the best values for general english literature. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #18 position for value in general english literature this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $11,557. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,557. Set against $11,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #19 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $23,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #20 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #21 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #23 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #25 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General English Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general english literature this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1514 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 490 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).
[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
