2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Alabama

[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english language & literature students.
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2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english language & literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
University Of North Alabama earned the #1 spot for value among english language & literature schools in Alabama. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $26,213. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english language & literature will find it at Troy University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Students borrow a median of $25,924 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Troy University earn a median of $25,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Jacksonville State University one of the best values for english language & literature. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Students borrow a median of $23,267 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $37,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Alabama earned it the #4 place for english language & literature. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $40,486. Set against $23,505 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Montevallo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $25,096. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $36,673. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #6 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $24,946 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $32,324. Set against $24,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #7 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $62,903. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $25,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University earned the #9 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $33,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Samford University came in at #10 for value in english language & literature this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $64,132. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.