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2024 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature in California

43 Ranked Colleges
7,678 Degrees Awarded
$13,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 54,635 people earned their degree in english language & literature, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, english language & 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 & 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” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in english language & literature. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality english language & literature programs that also have a lower cost than 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 & 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” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california english language & literature students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature in California

1

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 348 ’s english language & 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.

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 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at UCLA

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 298 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $10,054 for california english language & literature students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSULB English Language & Literature Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 204 ’s english language & literature degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for California English Language & Literature students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Northridge English Language & Literature Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for California English Language & Literature students.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 314 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for California English Language & Literature students per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%.

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

6

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s english language & literature degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,677 for California English Language & Literature students per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

7

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking, coming in at #7. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 176 ’s english language & literature degrees to qualified students.

UCSB also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UCSB is $16,252 for california english language & literature students.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 UCSB English Language & Literature Report

8

University of California - Davis landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 210 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California English Language & Literature students.

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 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

9
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #9, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 233 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

SFSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,459 for california english language & literature students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about English Language & Literature at SFSU

10

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking, coming in at #10. 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 & literature degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,209 for California English Language & Literature students per year to attend UC Irvine.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

11
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 118 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for California English Language & Literature students.

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 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at San Jose State

12

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking, coming in at #12. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california english language & literature students list, Stan State has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $6,566 for california english language & literature students.

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 California State University - Stanislaus

13

California State University - Sacramento ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 181 diplomas to qualified ’s english language & literature students in 2020-2021.

Sac State also took the #22 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for California English Language & Literature students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 California State University - Sacramento

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 180 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california english language & literature students.

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 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

15

California State University - Fresno came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s english language & literature degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for california english language & literature students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno State English Language & Literature Report

16
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 127 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for california english language & literature students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at San Diego State University

17

California State University - San Marcos landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,218 for California English Language & Literature students per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

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 California State University - San Marcos

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,218 for California English Language & Literature students per year to attend Chico State.

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 California State University - Chico

19

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 291 diplomas to qualified ’s english language & literature students in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $11,822 for california english language & literature students per year to attend UCR.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Riverside English Language & Literature Report

20

California State University - East Bay landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. Hayward, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s english language & literature degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

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

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at California State University - East Bay

21

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 132 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for california english language & literature students.

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 California State University - San Bernardino

22

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 115 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for California English Language & Literature students.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

23
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Rohnert Park, California, and it awarded 87 ’s english language & literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SSU is $17,563 for California English Language & Literature students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at SSU

24
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California ranking, coming in at #24. National University is a private not-for-profit institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 87 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

National University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend National University is $20,722 for California English Language & Literature students.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at National University

25

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s english language & literature degrees to 101 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for california english language & literature students.

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%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Cal State LA

Notes and References

References

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