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English Language and Literature Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas delivers English Literature education at just $1,113 net cost, making it the most affordable option among these 20 programs nationwide. This remarkable gap exists alongside private options like Berea College at $4,483, where graduates earn $18,315 annually compared to CUNY graduates who typically see $25,000-$31,000 starting salaries. The CUNY system dominates affordable English education with eight campuses offering net costs under $4,000, reflecting New York's massive publishing industry and media market that employs thousands of English majors. California State universities in Los Angeles and Carson provide West Coast alternatives under $4,200, while regional schools like Ohio University-Eastern show 20% graduation rates that highlight completion challenges. English Literature graduates from these affordable programs enter a national job market where content creation, technical writing, and digital media roles have expanded beyond traditional publishing houses.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $7,912
Net Price Range
$27,128
Avg. Program Earnings
43.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 English Language and Literature, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
3 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
4 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
5 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
6 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
7 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
8 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
9 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
10 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
11 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
12 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
13 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
14 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
15 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
16 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
17 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
18 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
19 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
20 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
21 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
22 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
23 $5,881 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
24 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
25 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
26 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
27 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
28 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
29 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
30 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
31 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
32 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
33 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
34 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
35 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
36 $6,608 $10,646 46.4% 80.0%
37 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
38 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
39 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
40 $7,233 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
41 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
42 $7,349 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
43 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
44 $7,523 $3,855 51.5%
45 $7,557 $7,922 26.1%
46 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
47 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
48 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
49 $7,871 $26,300 23.5%
50 $7,912 $7,868 34.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $3,370 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Texas A&M University-Central Texas costs $1,113 annually while Dalton State College reaches $4,694, primarily due to state funding differences and regional cost variations. Public universities in Texas receive substantial state support for in-state students. The CUNY system maintains costs between $2,446-$3,830 despite New York's high living expenses through city and state subsidies. Private nonprofit Berea College at $4,483 actually charges $49,326 in tuition but covers most costs through its work-study program.

How do graduation rates vary among these affordable English programs?

Graduation rates span from 20% at Ohio University-Eastern to 72.1% at CUNY Baruch College, showing dramatic differences in student success. CUNY schools generally achieve 49-72% completion rates, with Baruch and Hunter leading at 72.1% and 61% respectively. California State universities show mixed results, with Dominguez Hills at 46.9% and Los Angeles at 52.6%. Berea College maintains 62% despite serving low-income students exclusively through its unique tuition-free model.

What starting salaries can English Literature graduates expect from these programs?

Graduate earnings range from $18,315 at Berea College to $31,628 at CUNY Lehman College, reflecting regional job markets and program focus. CUNY graduates consistently earn $25,000-$31,000 annually, benefiting from New York's publishing and media industries. Texas A&M International graduates average $28,212 despite the low program cost. California State Los Angeles graduates start at $28,960, competing in LA's entertainment and tech writing markets.

Does student debt load vary significantly among these affordable options?

Student debt ranges from $7,000 at CUNY Queens College to $14,500 at Cal State Los Angeles, staying relatively manageable across all programs. CUNY schools consistently produce graduates with debt under $14,000, with Queens College achieving the lowest at $7,000. Texas A&M International graduates carry $12,999 in debt despite the $3,061 annual cost. The low debt levels reflect these programs' affordability focus and strong state funding support.

Where do the most competitive admission rates appear among affordable English programs?

Berea College maintains the most selective admissions at 24.58%, followed by CUNY Baruch at 49.53% and Texas A&M International at 47.88%. CUNY Hunter College accepts 47.86% of applicants, making it moderately competitive for a public institution. California State universities show higher acceptance rates, with Dominguez Hills at 89.13% and Los Angeles at 86.94%. Texas A&M Central Texas accepts 95.71% of applicants, reflecting its mission to serve regional students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.