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2023 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

107 Ranked Colleges
12,120 Degrees Awarded
$6,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

English Language & Literature is the 18th most popular major in the country with 54,635 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, English language and literature graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,352 and had an average of $23,972 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 12,120 English language and literature graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,218 and $24,340 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 107 colleges that offered a degree in English language and literature. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great English language and literature programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the English language and literature program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank English Language & Literature Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for English Language & Literature (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $371 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Duke English Language & Literature Report

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 107 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 75 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $3,176 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Vanderbilt University English Language & Literature Report

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Forest University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 51 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,401 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wake Forest University English Language & Literature Report

4
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 209 degrees to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, UF has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $65 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at UF

5

Out of the 107 schools in the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #5 spot on the list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 165 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UNC Chapel Hill

6
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 195 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $12,476 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus English Language & Literature Report

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 377 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $4,950 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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 95%.

Full Florida State English Language & Literature Report

8
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s English language and literature degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, William & Mary has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,972 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national 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 English Language & Literature at William & Mary

9

With a ranking of #9, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 225 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,176 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, 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 92%.

Full USF Tampa English Language & Literature Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 420 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,468 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Central Florida.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at University of Central Florida

11
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 133 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

UGA also took the #11 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $8,303 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about English Language & Literature at UGA

12
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school situated in Lexington, Virginia. It awarded 21 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

VMI also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Military Institute is $10,556 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at VMI

13

Florida International University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,196 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida International University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 English Language & Literature at Florida International University

14

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

Louisiana State University also took the #14 spot in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,318 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Louisiana State University

15
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #15, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 88 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $8,538 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Emory English Language & Literature Report

16
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Carolina State University is a large school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 136 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,283 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at NC State

17
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNF is a fairly large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 86 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,367 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNF.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Florida English Language & Literature Report

18
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s English language and literature degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $7,354 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State University English Language & Literature Report

19
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NKU is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $4,632 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about English Language & Literature at NKU

20
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #20, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 93 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,934 for southeast region english language & literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, 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 93%.

Full Virginia Tech English Language & Literature Report

21
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, this large public school awarded 126 diplomas to qualified ’s English language and literature students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,726 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FAU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 English Language & Literature at FAU

22

The University of West Florida came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UWF is a fairly large school located in Pensacola, Florida that handed out 52 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend The University of West Florida is $4,288 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of West Florida English Language & Literature Report

23

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 113 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $10,433 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full UT Knoxville English Language & Literature Report

24
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Clemson, South Carolina, and it awarded 149 ’s English language and literature degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Clemson is $13,744 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Read more about English Language & Literature at Clemson University

25
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, West Virginia

Marshall University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marshall University is a public institution located in Huntington, West Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,377 for Southeast Region English Language & Literature students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marshall University.

Full Marshall University English Language & Literature Report

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