2026 Best Value General English Literature Associate’s Degree Schools
[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general english literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1514 schools to find the best return on investment for general english literature students.
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2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General English Literature Schools
For return on investment in general english literature, no school beat San Diego Mesa College this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Laguardia Community College earned it the #2 place for general english literature. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $8,858. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
College Of San Mateo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. 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 came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Golden West College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $21,500. General English Literature graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for general english literature value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $9,191. General English Literature graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College came in at #7 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College earned the #10 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #11 spot for general english literature value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #12 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Grossmont College came in at #13 for value in general english literature this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Fresno City College placed #14 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Diablo Valley College placed #15 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College placed #16 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
El Camino Community College District placed #17 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Austin Community College District ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $9,596. General English Literature graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $11,306. General English Literature graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #20 for value in general english literature this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College landed the #21 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #22 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Shasta College came in at #23 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #24 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Cypress College landed the #25 spot for general english literature value this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General English Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general english literature this year:
Other General English Literature Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general english literature schools at other degree levels:
View All General English Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 5 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
