2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 163 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southwest Region
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
For return on investment in english language & literature, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for english language & literature. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,727. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $25,077. That is a strong return on a $15,727 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #3 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,799 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for english language & literature. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,187. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $6,868. English Language & Literature graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #6 among the best values for english language & literature. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #7 position for value in english language & literature this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Tulsa Community College earned the #8 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $15,789. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #9 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $18,660. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Community College placed #10 among the best values for english language & literature. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $19,223. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $19,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $18,800. English Language & Literature graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,800 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Panola College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Set in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #14 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Paris Junior College came in at #15 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #16 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $32,395 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $19,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,395 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University earned the #17 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $40,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,875 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System came in at #19 for value in english language & literature this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College earned the #20 position for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #21 spot for english language & literature value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $61,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #22 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Texas Womans University earned the #23 position for value in english language & literature this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $28,395. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $38,171. That is a strong return on a $28,395 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #24 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $13,407. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $43,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 163 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
