2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Master’s Degree Schools
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1675 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value english language & literature schools.
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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,431 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,431 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,812 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $34,483. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $12,879 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $12,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,000. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $14,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,548 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny City College landed the #7 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,782. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $27,082. Set against $13,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #8 position for value in english language & literature this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $19,195 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $32,280. That is a strong return on a $19,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #9 for value in english language & literature this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $23,316. Set against $15,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Fresno placed #10 among the best values for english language & literature. 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. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,000. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge landed the #11 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #12 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,000. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $32,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino placed #13 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $16,120 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $21,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $35,598. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #15 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $20,750. English Language & Literature graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,649 early in their careers. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #16 spot for english language & literature value this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,636. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $40,280. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #17 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $18,871 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $27,037. Set against $18,871 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $25,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #19 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $32,395 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $19,493. Set against $32,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $18,176 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $26,021 early in their careers. Set against $18,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #21 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $16,945. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $27,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #22 for value in english language & literature this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,041 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $21,788. Set against $17,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #23 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $26,419. That is a strong return on a $22,631 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Weber State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $21,052. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $36,182. That is a strong return on a $21,052 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,500. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $29,494 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% 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:
Other English Language & Literature Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value English Language & Literature rankings across degree levels:
View All English Language & Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1675 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 176 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.
