2027 Best Value Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong literature education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value literature schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Literature Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Literature Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Los Angeles the best value for a degree in literature in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $13,093. Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $22,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Boise State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value literature schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the literature program here. Early-career literature graduates make about $49,059. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Ave Maria University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value literature schools. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ave Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,198. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $19,801. Early-career literature graduates make about $40,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Sewanee The University Of The South is a great value for students pursuing a degree in literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. In-state tuition and fees average $56,120. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $22,091. Early-career literature graduates make about $36,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in literature will find it at Miami University Oxford, which ranked #5. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete the literature program here. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. That is a strong return on a $24,177 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value literature schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the literature program here. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $23,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pace University New York came in at #7 for value in literature this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $25,758. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College landed the #8 spot for literature value this year. Located in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Typical student debt for literature graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Bennington College generally make around $18,152. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
New York University landed the #9 spot for literature value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Literature graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
American University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value literature schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Literature graduates carry a median of $26,105 in student loans. Literature graduates of American University earn a median of $23,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,105 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
The New School earned the #11 position for value in literature this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the literature program here. Early-career literature graduates make about $25,618. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Other Literature Degree Levels
Explore the best-value literature schools at other degree levels:
View All Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
