2027 Best Value English Language & Literature Master’s Degree Schools
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 207 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value english language & literature schools.
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2027 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 earned the #1 spot for value among 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,431 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $27,958 early in their careers. Set against $12,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $37,544. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for english language & literature. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $32,313. That is a strong return on a $19,195 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,812. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,812 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for english language & literature. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. 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. 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. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,548 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $23,858 early in their careers. Set against $13,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #7 spot for english language & literature value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $27,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in english language & literature this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $16,120. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $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 #11 spot for english language & literature value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,187 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in english language & literature this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $20,500. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $35,600 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #13 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,066. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. 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 $26,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $43,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University earned the #16 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $18,871 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $27,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,871 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #17 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $22,500. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $62,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #18 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $23,264. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #19 spot for english language & literature value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $32,395. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $19,493. That is a strong return on a $32,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,631 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $26,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Weber State University landed the #21 spot for english language & literature value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $21,052 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $36,167 early in their careers. Set against $21,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland State University placed #22 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $41,003. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $11,125. English Language & Literature graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $29,181 early in their careers. Set against $11,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of West Florida placed #24 among the best values for english language & literature. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $25,035. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of North Florida landed the #25 spot for english language & literature value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $16,945 in student loans. 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. Roughly 53% 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
Explore the best-value english language & literature schools at other degree levels:
View All English Language & Literature Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 207 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 207 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.
