2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Washington
[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 19 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #1 spot for value among english language & literature schools in Washington. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $40,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned it the #2 place for english language & literature. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $17,872. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $29,758 early in their careers. Set against $17,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,878 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $34,671. Set against $17,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $18,591 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $29,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes Washington State University one of the best values for english language & literature. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $28,876. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Western Washington University landed the #6 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $18,119. English Language & Literature graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $27,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University earned the #7 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,224 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $27,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pacific Lutheran University placed #8 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,667. English Language & Literature graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $49,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University landed the #9 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $30,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Whitworth University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Students borrow a median of $24,642 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $36,387. That is a strong return on a $24,642 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Seattle University landed the #11 spot for english language & literature value this year. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,317. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $32,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
Whitman College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,050. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $25,574. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Gonzaga University placed #13 among the best values for english language & literature. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $41,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $22,522. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
More English Language & Literature Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
