[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.
College Factual analyzed 557 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general english literature schools.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for general english literature in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $35,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general english literature will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,848 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $31,842. That is a strong return on a $9,848 median debt. 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. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $11,391. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $34,337. Set against $11,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $28,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College earned the #7 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,782 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $27,082. That is a strong return on a $13,782 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,950 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $26,917. That is a strong return on a $16,950 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #9 position for value in general english literature this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,557 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $29,557. Set against $11,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton earned the #10 position for value in general english literature this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $13,812 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $23,783. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles placed #11 among the best values for general english literature. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #13 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $14,407. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #14 spot for general english literature value 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. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $17,371. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $26,548. Set against $17,371 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino placed #15 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #16 position for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,187. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #17 for value in general english literature this year. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,452. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,000. General English Literature graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #20 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,727. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $25,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #21 among the best values for general english literature. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $14,794 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $30,060. That is a strong return on a $14,794 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University Fresno landed the #22 spot for general english literature value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $24,010. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #23 position for value in general english literature this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $13,749 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,749 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #24 among the best values for general english literature. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,066. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $29,534. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General English Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general english literature:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 557 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 557 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).