2023 Best Value Colleges for Literature (Income $0-$30k)
22
Ranked Colleges
683
Degrees Awarded
$15,000
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 683 people earned their degree in literature, making the major the 264th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, literature graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,788 and had an average of $26,372 in loans still to pay off.
For this year’s “Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in literature. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great literature programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the literature program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Literature Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Literature (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s literature degrees to qualified students.
Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Literature Schools” list. It costs about $371 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Duke University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Literature at Duke
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s literature degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,037 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Literature at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hamilton College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Hamilton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Clinton, New York. It awarded 18 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, Hamilton has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hamilton is $8,810 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Literature at Hamilton College
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Hunter College landed the #4 spot on the list. Hunter is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 3 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
Hunter also took the #25 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. It costs about $396 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hunter College.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Literature at Hunter
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 67 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pitt has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is $15,084 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Literature at Pitt
Purchase College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purchase College is located in Purchase, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s literature degrees to qualified students.
Purchase College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Literature Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purchase College is $13,899 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Purchase College Literature Report
University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pitt Greensburg is a small public school situated in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 8 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt Greensburg, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg is $9,777 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Literature at Pitt Greensburg
George Mason University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. George Mason University is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
GMU also made our “Best Literature Schools” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $14,781 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend George Mason University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read more about Literature at George Mason University
Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Literature Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $12,465 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Literature at Eastern Michigan University
Central Washington University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CWU is a fairly large school located in Ellensburg, Washington that handed out 3 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
CWU also made our “Best Literature Schools” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for CWU is $10,796 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Literature at CWU
Central Michigan University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $10,805 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Central Michigan University Literature Report
Lindenwood University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Charles, Missouri. It awarded 3 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University also made our “Best Literature Schools” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $12,948 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Literature at Lindenwood University
With a ranking of #13, New York University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 136 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
NYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Literature Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend NYU is $23,582 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Literature at NYU
Pacific University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pacific University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Forest Grove, Oregon. It awarded 5 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
Pacific also took the #9 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. It costs about $21,387 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pacific University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Pacific Literature Report
American University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. The American University is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 23 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
The American University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Literature Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for The American University is $21,108 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full American University Literature Report
With a ranking of #16, Mills College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mills College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Oakland, California. It awarded 3 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
Mills did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Literature Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Mills College is $17,236 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Literature at Mills
Loyola University New Orleans did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Loyola New Orleans is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s literature degrees to qualified students.
Loyola New Orleans also took the #16 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Loyola New Orleans is $16,607 for literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Literature at Loyola University New Orleans
Calvin University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Calvin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Calvin also took the #11 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. It costs about $22,080 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Calvin.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Literature at Calvin
University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s literature students in 2020-2021.
Pitt Johnstown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Literature Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown is $10,570 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Literature at University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown
With a ranking of #20, Bennington College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bennington College is located in Bennington, Vermont and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s literature degrees to qualified students.
Bennington also took the #10 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bennington College is $23,632 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Literature at Bennington College
Cornell College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Cornell College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Literature Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell College is $16,806 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cornell College Literature Report
The New School did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Literature Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. New School University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 50 ’s literature degrees in 2020-2021.
New School University also made our “Best Literature Schools” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $38,085 for Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The New School.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full New School University Literature Report
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
