[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 760 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
Finding the Best Value English Language & Literature School for You
The english language & literature program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value English Language & Literature Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value English Language & Literature Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in english language & literature, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,000. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $61,459. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $35,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for english language & literature. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,431. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $27,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $9,848 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #5 place for english language & literature. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,391 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $34,337. Set against $11,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $35,122. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Moorpark College came in at #7 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $17,075. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo earned the #8 position for value in english language & literature this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #9 for value in english language & literature this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,950 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $47,082 early in their careers. Set against $16,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,782. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $27,082 early in their careers. Set against $13,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,195 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,421. Set against $19,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $29,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #13 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $23,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College placed #14 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,371 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $33,467. That is a strong return on a $17,371 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #16 for value in english language & literature this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #17 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,000. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $14,407. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College placed #18 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $11,196. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College placed #21 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Oxnard College landed the #22 spot for english language & literature value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #23 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $5,500. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #24 spot for english language & literature value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $16,120. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $21,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Pasadena City College placed #25 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $9,191. English Language & 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature value ranking:
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 · 760 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 760 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).
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
