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Best Value English Language and Literature Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Rice University stands alone among Texas English programs with a net price of $12,640 yet delivering the state's highest earnings at $46,087 for graduates. This private institution's 95.7% graduation rate contrasts sharply with public alternatives like Texas Southmost College at just $5,458 net cost but 26.8% completion rates. The $43,026 earnings gap between top and bottom performers reflects Texas's varied literary market, where English graduates find opportunities across the state's expanding media markets, from Houston's major publishing houses to Austin's growing tech documentation sector. Public universities dominate the affordability spectrum, with Texas A&M International offering the lowest net price at $3,061 while maintaining nearly 49% graduation rates. The University of Texas Permian Basin demonstrates strong value at $9,144 net cost with $42,682 earnings, ranking among the state's highest-paying programs. Texas's substantial healthcare workforce creates demand for medical writers and communications specialists, particularly around Houston's Texas Medical Center complex. State financial aid through programs like the TEXAS Grant helps bridge affordability gaps, though the $18,291 spread between cheapest and most expensive options shows the importance of careful program selection for prospective English majors.
50
Programs
$3,061 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$32,765
Avg. Program Earnings
51.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 English Language and Literature, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,061 $28,212 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
2 $5,458 $41,565 $3,148 26.8%
3 $6,500 $32,332 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
4 $9,144 $42,682 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
5 $8,624 $36,134 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
6 $11,268 $44,384 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
7 $11,056 $42,682 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
8 $12,640 $46,087 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
9 $10,948 $39,009 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
10 $10,204 $28,212 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
11 $11,882 $31,848 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
12 $10,726 $28,598 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
13 $13,853 $36,221 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
14 $11,234 $28,055 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
15 $15,152 $37,208 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
16 $15,235 $34,420 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
17 $14,352 $31,874 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
18 $16,025 $33,281 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
19 $13,931 $28,019 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
20 $21,352 $41,007 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
21 $19,678 $35,500 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
22 $14,041 $25,194 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
23 $20,071 $34,847 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
24 $16,438 $28,327 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
25 $20,261 $33,993 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
26 $14,623 $24,421 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
27 $15,137 $24,615 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
28 $12,915 $20,140 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
29 $20,841 $31,133 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
30 $20,924 $31,029 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
31 $23,636 $33,281 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
32 $20,498 $23,579 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
33 $33,531 $37,208 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
34 $41,778 $37,748 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
35 $41,942 $30,771 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
36 $23,451 $15,922 $46,500 69.5% 54.4%
37 $23,790 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
38 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
39 $25,470 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%
40 $30,092 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
41 $10,650 $10,008 10.7%
42 $22,587 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
43 $22,240 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
44 $19,734 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
45 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
46 $27,401 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
47 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
48 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
49 $10,095 $12,500 20.0%
50 $13,220 $9,548 29.4% 96.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rice University worth its higher cost for English majors?

Rice University charges $12,640 net price but delivers $46,087 in graduate earnings, creating the strongest return on investment among Texas English programs. The university maintains a 95.7% graduation rate compared to state averages around 45-50%. Rice's selective 8.68% acceptance rate ensures small class sizes and extensive faculty mentorship that translates directly into career outcomes.

How do public university costs compare for English programs in Texas?

Public universities range from $3,061 at Texas A&M International to $15,152 at Stephen F Austin State University for net costs. Most fall between $8,000-$12,000 annually, making them accessible through state aid programs. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers strong value at $9,144 with graduates earning $42,682, nearly matching private school outcomes at public prices.

Where do Texas English graduates typically find the highest-paying jobs?

Graduates from University of Texas Permian Basin and Rice University report the strongest earnings at $42,682 and $46,087 respectively. Houston's Texas Medical Center creates high-demand positions for medical writers and communications specialists. The state's growing tech sector in Austin and Dallas also provides content strategy and technical writing roles that value English training.

Is graduation rate a reliable predictor of program quality in Texas English programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 26.5% at University of Houston-Victoria to 95.7% at Rice University, often correlating with career outcomes. Schools with rates above 50% like University of Houston-Clear Lake (50.9%) and UT San Antonio (51.2%) show stronger job placement success. However, Texas Southmost College's 26.8% rate may reflect its open-access mission rather than program quality.

Does in-state tuition provide significant savings for English majors in Texas?

In-state students save substantially, with published tuition ranging from $3,148 at Texas Southmost College to $10,904 at UT Permian Basin. The TEXAS Grant and Texas Tomorrow Fund further reduce costs for qualifying residents. Even after financial aid, in-state students typically pay $7,000-$11,000 less annually than out-of-state peers at public institutions.

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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.