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2023 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature in California (With Aid)

41 Ranked Colleges
7,678 Degrees Awarded
$12,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

English Language & Literature is the 18th most popular major in the country with 54,635 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, English language and literature graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,352 and had an average of $23,972 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 7,678 English language and literature graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,193 and $19,935 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 41 colleges that offered a degree in English language and literature. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent English language and literature programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the English language and literature program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature in California (With Aid)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Stanford University English Language & Literature Report

2

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 348 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $15,023 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCLA English Language & Literature Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 101 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $3,302 for california english language & literature students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Los Angeles English Language & Literature Report

4

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 103 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UCSD English Language & Literature Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 204 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california english language & literature students with aid list, CSUN has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for california english language & literature students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CSUN English Language & Literature Report

6

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 314 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for california english language & literature students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Berkeley English Language & Literature Report

7

California State University - Fullerton ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for california english language & literature students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Cal State Fullerton

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 298 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $10,054 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at California State University - Long Beach

9

California State University - Fresno came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 91 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Fresno State

10

University of California - Davis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 210 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for California English Language & Literature students with aid per year to attend UC Davis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at UC Davis

11

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 176 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $16,252 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at UCSB

12

University of California - Irvine ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 163 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california english language & literature students with aid list, UC Irvine has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,209 for California English Language & Literature students with aid per year to attend UC Irvine.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at University of California - Irvine

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 181 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

Sac State also took the #19 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Sac State

14

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 291 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at University of California - Riverside

15

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 85 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for California English Language & Literature students with aid per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at California State University - Stanislaus

16

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 132 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $8,107 for california english language & literature students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at CSUSB

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 127 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $13,845 for california english language & literature students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full San Diego State University English Language & Literature Report

18
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 118 degrees to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #15 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full San Jose State University English Language & Literature Report

19
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 233 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $14,459 for California English Language & Literature students with aid per year to attend SFSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full SFSU English Language & Literature Report

20

California State University - East Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 68 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for California English Language & Literature students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - East Bay English Language & Literature Report

21

California State University - San Marcos landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 81 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for california english language & literature students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at CSUSM

22

With a ranking of #22, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 115 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for california english language & literature students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Cal Poly Pomona

23

With a ranking of #23, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 90 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. It costs about $20,677 for california english language & literature students with aid per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

24

California State University - Chico landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 74 degrees to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $16,218 for california english language & literature students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Chico State

25

California State University - Channel Islands landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Camarillo, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 48 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,928 for California English Language & Literature students with aid per year to attend CSUCI.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at California State University - Channel Islands

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