2027 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong english language & literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Austin Peay State University, our #1 best value for english language & literature in Tennessee. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,677 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Memphis one of the best values for english language & literature. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,708. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $25,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,708 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $24,045. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $31,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #4 place for english language & literature. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $13,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $34,633. That is a strong return on a $13,420 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #5 place for english language & literature. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,039. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #6 among the best values for english language & literature. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $22,796. English Language & Literature graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $22,999 early in their careers. Set against $22,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $29,489. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $45,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
East Tennessee State University placed #8 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $16,598 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $21,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #9 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,990 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $26,476 early in their careers. Set against $22,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University came in at #10 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $30,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Lipscomb University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,500. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #12 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College placed #13 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $21,545. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Belmont University placed #14 among the best values for english language & literature. 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. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $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 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
