[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1675 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for english language & 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,431 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $27,958. That is a strong return on a $12,431 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,879. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,879 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for english language & literature. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $37,006. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $9,848 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $31,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $16,950 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $26,917 early in their careers. Set against $16,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,782 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $27,082. Set against $13,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,812. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,391 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $34,337. That is a strong return on a $11,391 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #10 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $14,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #11 for value in english language & literature this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,548 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $23,858. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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 $19,195 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $20,754 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #13 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,371 in student loans. Early-career english language & 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 Bakersfield came in at #14 for value in english language & literature this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #15 for value in english language & literature this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University placed #16 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $25,077. Set against $15,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #17 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,331 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University San Bernardino placed #18 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $16,120 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $21,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #19 for value in english language & 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge earned the #20 position for value in english language & literature this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $27,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #21 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #22 spot for english language & literature value this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,531 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $43,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $10,888. English Language & 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.
California State University Sacramento landed the #24 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #25 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $17,912. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $23,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english language & literature:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1675 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 471 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
