2027 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.
College Factual analyzed 42 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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Leading the list is Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, our #1 best value for english language & literature in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for english language & literature. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $29,725 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,216. That is a strong return on a $29,725 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Philadelphia earned it the #3 place for english language & literature. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,710, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $32,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,590 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,590 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #6 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete the english language & literature program here. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lycoming College landed the #7 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,804. Students borrow a median of $26,973 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $34,280. That is a strong return on a $26,973 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington placed #8 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington generally make around $29,848. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $29,529. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2027 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. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,350. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in english language & literature this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. English Language & Literature graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $41,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $25,934 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,865. That is a strong return on a $25,934 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College landed the #14 spot for english language & literature value this year. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hill University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,944. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,556. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $53,485. That is a strong return on a $26,556 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Haverford College came in at #17 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #18 among the best values for english language & literature. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $29,848. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College landed the #20 spot for english language & literature value this year. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $40,151 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,500. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $40,967 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University came in at #22 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $33,352. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $25,949. English Language & Literature graduates of Temple University earn a median of $25,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University came in at #24 for value in english language & literature this year. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,260. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $31,266 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University earned the #25 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,850 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $19,753. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for english language & literature this year:
More English Language & Literature Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
