by our College Data Analytics Team
[Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong literature education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for literature students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Northern Arizona University, our #1 best value for literature in the United States. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Literature graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career literature graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for literature. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Literature graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Literature graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Literature graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Literature graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New York University earned it the #4 place for literature. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the literature program here. Early-career literature graduates make about $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Explore the best-value literature schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.