2026 Best Value Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Literature bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 120 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Minnesota State University Mankato this year in the United States. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Minnesota State University Mankato alumni report median earnings of $56,922 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
Out of the 120 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Lindenwood University landed the #2 spot. Set in Saint Charles, MO, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,600. Lindenwood University Literature students take on a median of $28,663 in debt. Lindenwood University alumni report median earnings of $53,278 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%. See the full Lindenwood University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Michigan University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Eastern Michigan University alumni report median earnings of $51,793 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants. Get the full Eastern Michigan University report
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg came in at #4 on this year's best-value Literature ranking in the United States. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public school based in Greensburg, PA. Students from in state pay about $14,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,584. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg has an acceptance rate of 95%. More on University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York College Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. York College Pennsylvania Literature students take on a median of $26,537 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,012 ten years after entry. Set against $26,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania has an acceptance rate of 74%. More on York College Pennsylvania
American University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. The median Literature program debt is $26,105. Graduates go on to earn a median of $77,370 ten years after entry. Set against $26,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University has an acceptance rate of 62%. Get the full American University report
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Located in Johnstown, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown alumni report median earnings of $66,125 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown report
Duke University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Median earnings reach $97,800 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants. More on Duke University
Grand Canyon University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Literature program here. Grand Canyon University alumni report median earnings of $42,186 a decade after entry. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. More on Grand Canyon University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Literature program here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus alumni report median earnings of $66,125 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical Literature student debt is $13,093. Median earnings reach $82,511 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 9% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Suny At Purchase College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Based in Purchase, NY, Suny At Purchase College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Literature program here. Median earnings reach $45,092 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Purchase College has an acceptance rate of 74%. Read more about Suny At Purchase College
Calvin College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Calvin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete their Literature program here. Calvin College alumni report median earnings of $58,375 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants. Read the full report on Calvin College
New York University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Literature program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,509 ten years after entry. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 9% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about New York University
Pacific University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Based in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,374. Pacific University Literature students take on a median of $26,170 in debt. Median earnings reach $60,583 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Get the full Pacific University report
Cornell College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Located in Mount Vernon, IA, Cornell College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Cornell College Literature students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,460. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cornell College has an acceptance rate of 80%. Get the full Cornell College report
Hamilton College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit school based in Clinton, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,960. Hamilton College Literature students take on a median of $16,131 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,411 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%. More on Hamilton College
Loyola University New Orleans offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Set in New Orleans, LA, Loyola University New Orleans is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Typical Literature student debt is $26,606. Loyola University New Orleans alumni report median earnings of $52,927 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,606 median debt. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Loyola University New Orleans
The New School placed #19 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. The median Literature program debt is $23,750. Median earnings reach $52,901 ten years out. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 64% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The New School
Bennington College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Bennington College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bennington, VT. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,289. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bennington College admits about 44% of applicants. See the full Bennington College profile
Cuny Hunter College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Get the full Cuny Hunter College report
Indiana University South Bend offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read the full report on Indiana University South Bend
Oklahoma State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Ave Maria University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. See the full Ave Maria University profile
Marymount Manhattan College placed #25 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. Read the full report on Marymount Manhattan College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Hofstra University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Hofstra University report
South Mountain Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. See the full South Mountain Community College profile
Harvard University came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. See the full Harvard University profile
Arcadia University placed #29 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. Read the full report on Arcadia University
Scottsdale Community College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Scottsdale Community College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Glendale Community College Glendale Az profile
Paradise Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full Paradise Valley Community College profile
George Fox University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Read more about George Fox University
Grove City College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Grove City College profile
Hamline University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. More on Hamline University
Youngstown State University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Youngstown State University
Andrew College
Andrew College placed #37 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. Read more about Andrew College
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. See the full Estrella Mountain Community College profile
Pennsylvania Western University placed #39 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. More on Pennsylvania Western University
Piedmont College
Piedmont College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Piedmont College report
Rowan University
Rowan University placed #41 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. Read the full report on Rowan University
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Suny Westchester Community College report
Excelsior College placed #43 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. More on Excelsior College
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on Indiana University Kokomo
Bradley University came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Bradley University
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full New Mexico State University Dona Ana report
Pace University New York placed #47 among the best-value Literature schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pace University New York
Oral Roberts University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Oral Roberts University
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. More on Chandler Gilbert Community College
Mississippi College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Literature schools. Read more about Mississippi College
Related Literature Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Literature Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Literature Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Literature Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Literature Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Literature Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Literature Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Literature Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 120 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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