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Cheapest Literature Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Antioch College in Yellow Springs delivers the nation's most affordable Literature education at just $6,602 net cost, though its 26.30% graduation rate reflects the experimental approach that has defined this institution since the 1960s. The $12,000 gap between Antioch and second-place Wilberforce University ($7,349) demonstrates how dramatically costs vary even among the cheapest options. Public universities dominate this affordable tier, with Marshall University offering strong value at $8,327 net cost and a solid 48.70% graduation rate. Literature graduates in the Midwest benefit from growing opportunities in educational publishing and digital content creation, as companies like Cengage Learning and McGraw Hill expand their regional operations. The data reveals an interesting pattern where some of the most affordable programs, including UCLA at $14,013, maintain strong academic standards with over 90% graduation rates, proving that cost and quality don't always correlate in Literature education.
50
Programs
$6,602 – $25,027
Net Price Range
$28,871
Avg. Program Earnings
57.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Literature Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,602 $37,143 26.3% 83.0%
2 $7,349 $14,776 16.0% 45.1%
3 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
4 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
5 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
6 $14,334 $22,490 44.4% 57.9%
7 $14,368 $14,266 56.9% 76.9%
8 $14,760 $10,304 44.1% 91.6%
9 $15,133 $10,506 35.7% 80.3%
10 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
11 $17,034 $14,630 39.6% 97.6%
12 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
13 $18,127 $60,300 91.9% 17.0%
14 $18,251 $28,976 56.8% 94.4%
15 $18,508 $33,252 46.7% 75.2%
16 $18,516 $21,100 50.3% 74.0%
17 $18,609 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
18 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
19 $18,833 $8,812 70.2% 72.5%
20 $18,835 $32,236 56.3% 87.5%
21 $18,952 $14,646 53.4% 97.4%
22 $19,067 $8,953 61.6% 74.7%
23 $19,300 $32,890 46.4% 74.8%
24 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
25 $20,148 $69,045 95.0% 4.0%
26 $20,303 $20,318 62.2% 63.2%
27 $20,865 $11,400 48.9% 49.8%
28 $20,893 $30,680 41.5% 64.4%
29 $20,911 $21,698 62.8% 40.0%
30 $21,034 $43,160 67.7% 96.8%
31 $21,409 $35,570 57.9% 94.3%
32 $21,504 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%
33 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
34 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
35 $21,826 $42,894 63.6% 74.1%
36 $21,873 $32,400 54.2% 65.2%
37 $21,931 $17,450 43.0% 77.9%
38 $22,618 $44,210 57.1% 95.0%
39 $22,762 $47,240 67.4% 78.1%
40 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
41 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
42 $23,341 $33,000 41.2% 71.6%
43 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
44 $23,600 $34,100 53.9% 78.4%
45 $23,655 $28,222 55.5% 44.2%
46 $23,731 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%
47 $24,334 $25,590 51.4% 65.8%
48 $24,783 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%
49 $24,842 $40,352 66.3% 78.1%
50 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Antioch College's Literature program so affordable compared to other schools?

Antioch College's net cost of $6,602 stems from its cooperative education model where students alternate between academic study and paid work experiences. The college's small enrollment of under 200 students allows for significant financial aid distribution. However, this experimental approach contributes to a 26.30% graduation rate, meaning students should carefully consider whether the financial savings outweigh the academic risks.

How do public universities compare to private schools for affordable Literature degrees?

Public institutions like Marshall University ($8,327) and University of Michigan-Flint ($12,280) offer significantly lower net costs than most private alternatives. Marshall achieves a 48.70% graduation rate at less than half the cost of many private colleges. Even UCLA, despite its selective 8.57% acceptance rate, maintains a competitive $14,013 net cost for Literature students.

Does a lower-cost Literature program mean lower post-graduation earnings?

The data shows mixed results, with UCLA graduates earning $25,194 annually despite the school's $14,013 net cost ranking among the most affordable options. University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg demonstrates that mid-range costs ($17,034) can yield higher earnings of $33,687. The relationship between program cost and graduate income varies significantly based on location and institutional resources rather than price alone.

Where can Literature students find the best combination of affordability and graduation rates?

Central Michigan University offers an optimal balance with a $16,041 net cost and 61.80% graduation rate, nearly double Antioch's completion rate. Lake Superior State University provides another strong option at $14,368 with a 56.90% graduation rate. Davidson College, while more expensive at $18,127, delivers strong value with its 91.90% graduation rate for students who can manage the higher initial investment.

Is the acceptance rate important when choosing an affordable Literature program?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically among affordable programs, from UCLA's highly selective 8.57% to University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg's accessible 97.60%. Marshall University accepts 96.88% of applicants while maintaining reasonable graduation rates at 48.70%. Students seeking guaranteed admission can target schools with acceptance rates above 80%, though they should balance accessibility with program quality and completion rates.

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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.