[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 617 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $61,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the english language & literature program here. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,431. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,848 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $31,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Cuny Queens College is a 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. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $35,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College earned the #7 position for value in english language & literature this year. 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,782 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $27,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #8 for value in english language & literature this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,548 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #11 spot for english language & literature value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,195. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $20,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #12 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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, 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 $26,548. That is a strong return on a $17,371 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #14 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,000. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $14,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #15 position for value in english language & literature this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $16,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #16 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $24,187. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #17 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,879. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $12,879 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge landed the #18 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,452. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,727 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $25,077 early in their careers. Set against $15,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,531 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno placed #21 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #22 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $14,794. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $30,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,794 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,331 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $22,743. That is a strong return on a $15,331 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Utah Valley University landed the #24 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $16,728 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,492 early in their careers. Set against $16,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #25 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $31,066 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% 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), 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 · 617 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 617 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.
