2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Tennessee
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 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 Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #1 spot for value among english language & literature schools in Tennessee. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $24,045 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,554. That is a strong return on a $24,045 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $22,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $23,708 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $25,948. That is a strong return on a $23,708 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $19,039 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Austin Peay State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $25,677. English Language & Literature graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $37,486 early in their careers. Set against $25,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $16,598. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $21,836. That is a strong return on a $16,598 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #7 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,990 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $26,476. That is a strong return on a $22,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #8 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,420 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $34,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,420 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University landed the #9 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Rhodes College landed the #10 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,545 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $40,807 early in their careers. Set against $21,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University earned the #11 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #12 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Belmont University earned the #13 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,250. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $22,360. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
