2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Pennsylvania
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 103 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Swarthmore College earned the #1 spot for value among english language & literature schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #3 place for english language & literature. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington, which ranked #4. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg one of the best values for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,710 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Students borrow a median of $26,590 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of $34,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #6 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,867 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #7 among the best values for english language & literature. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #8 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,590. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $32,749. That is a strong return on a $26,590 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #10 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,280 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $36,594 early in their careers. Set against $27,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for english language & literature value this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $41,236. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $25,934 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,865. Set against $25,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in english language & literature this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,242 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #16 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,944. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $53,485. That is a strong return on a $26,556 median debt. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.
Haverford College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,005. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Washington And Jefferson College landed the #20 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,392 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Washington And Jefferson College earn a median of $37,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Arcadia University earned the #21 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,610 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 Arcadia University generally make around $27,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University landed the #22 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $19,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Wilkes University landed the #23 spot for english language & literature value this year. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,352. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Messiah College came in at #24 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $22,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University landed the #25 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,949 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Temple University earn a median of $25,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,949 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english language & literature:
More English Language & Literature Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 103 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
