[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 656 schools to build this 2027 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 developed our Best Value General English Literature Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General English Literature Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in general english literature in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,000. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $35,178. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for general english literature. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $12,431 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $27,958. Set against $12,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $9,848. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $11,391 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $34,337. Set against $11,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for general english literature. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $28,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Moorpark College placed #7 among the best values for general english literature. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida earned the #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,950 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $47,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $13,782 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $27,082. Set against $13,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
College Of San Mateo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #11 spot for general english literature value this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,557 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fullerton earned the #12 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $29,133. Set against $13,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for general english literature value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. 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. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #14 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus placed #15 among the best values for general english literature. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $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%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #16 for value in general english literature this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,371 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $33,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #17 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #18 position for value in general english literature this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #19 spot for general english literature value this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada placed #20 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #21 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino placed #22 among the best values for general english literature. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $13,875. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $23,250. Set against $13,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Golden West College landed the #23 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College landed the #24 spot for general english literature value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #25 spot for general english literature value this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $5,500. General English Literature graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General English Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general english literature value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 656 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 656 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).