15 Best Affordable English/Language Arts Degrees Programs (Bachelor’s) 2020

Finding the best affordable colleges for an English language arts degree programs is essential for many students to create their own success story in higher education. Low-cost colleges are helping students enhance their linguistic abilities on budget. That’s great news because English language arts programs sharpen the top skill employers seek – communication. Whether verbally or in writing, English language arts majors learn to express their ideas in clear prose. These lessons translate into a wide variety of career opportunities around the world. After all, Babbel reports that around 1.5 billion people, or 20 percent of the global population, speak English. From journalism to teaching, English language arts degrees are truly applicable anywhere. Despite a reputation for low-paying jobs, English language arts programs still reported median lifetime earnings over $1 million in The Hamilton Project. Best-value English language arts degrees provide an even better ROI for people passionate about language.

Our Methodology

In effect, Affordable Schools sought to publish an article ranking the best low-cost English language arts degree options that train communicators for reasonable tuition. First, we started our research on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) database. We used the College Navigator tool to narrow down which institutions provide English or language arts majors at the four-year bachelor’s level. We collected an initial pool of 40 such liberal arts programs.

Next, we dug into how economical each college’s tuition pricing is from the list that was generated. Finding economical English language arts degree programs that reduce student loan debt was our goal. Our researchers recorded the College Navigator’s data for average undergraduate cost of attendance in 2018-19. We focused on universities with in-state tuition below $15,000 for full-time study of 30 credits each year. For your reference only, we also listed the out-of-state tuition averages. We followed this three-point rubric to order affordable English language arts degrees from fewest to most points up to six total.

Points:
Under $7,500: 3 Points
$7,500 to $15,000: 2 Points
$15,001 and Up: 1 Point

Lastly, we analyzed crucial university data to determine education quality. One pivotal factor we used was the student: faculty ratio as reported with NCES. This ratio shows how many students there will be for each professor. Programs with low student:faculty ratios like 10:1 and under will stimulate the most interactive discussions. Small class sizes ensure English language arts majors can get personal feedback and guidance on their writings. Our team gave each school one to three points based on the following rubric to evaluate engagement.

Points:
10:1 or Less: 3 Points
11:1 to 15:1: 2 Points
Greater Than 15:1: 1 Point

Ranking 15 Best Affordable English/Language Arts Degrees Programs (Bachelor’s) 2019

15. Alcorn State University

Lorman, MS

Total Points: 4
Program Website

Alcorn State University is a public, land-grant historically Black TMCF member. It enrolls 3,753 students from 30 states and 65 countries. In 2019, ASU received the Accelerating Academic Success Program Career Development Award. It was a 2019 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge finalist. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Alcorn the 21st best national HBCU and 89th top Southern university. ASU was named:

• America’s 264th best faculty on Niche
• 62nd top master’s institution in Washington Monthly
• 234th best value in The Economist.

The School of Arts & Sciences offers the affordable B.A. in English degree with 79 percent freshman retention for in-depth appreciation of the written and spoken word. The 124-credit, SACS-accredited major builds on core courses like Public Speaking with two specializations:

• literature
• secondary teaching (Grades 7-12).

Students of this economical degree program could also:

• join English Club
• pledge Sigma Tau Delta
• mentor in the English as a Second Language Institute
• intern at the State Department
• add the Global Certificate.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $7,084
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,084
Studen : Faculty Ratio: 18:1

14. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM

Total Points: 4
Program Website

Eastern New Mexico University is a public, coed Hispanic-serving HACU member. It enrolls serve 6,015 students from 29 countries. It’s home to the 30,000-volume Jack Williamson Science Fiction Library. In 2014, Eastern New Mexico’s president won the CASE District IV Chief Executive Leadership Award. The school was a 2019 American Library Association Diversity & Literacy Outreach Award finalist. The U.S. News & World Report placed Eastern New Mexico among the top 127 regionally. It was named:

• America’s 443rd best faculty on Niche
• 496th top college in Washington Monthly
• 458th best value on WalletHub

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences delivers a low-cost BA in English and BS in English with Secondary Licensure that build the foundation for meaningful communication. Both follow a 120-credit, HLC-accredited curriculum. Upper-division offerings include courses like World Literature and Advanced Composition. Undergrads may also:

• publish El Portal
• join English Honor’s Club
• student teach at Texico High
• write scripts for Drama Fest
• earn the Dr. Herbert Bergstrom Scholarship
• exchange to Hankuk University.

Degree Options:

BA in English
BS in English with Secondary Licensure
In-State Tuition: $6,326
Out-of-State Tuition: $8,247
Student-Faculty Ratio: 17:1

13. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Odessa, TX

Total Points: 4
Program Website

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a senior, public Hispanic-serving LSC member founded in 1973. It enrolls 7,628 students from 107 nations. The National Endowment of the Humanities funds its Boom or Bust Project. In 2018, UTPB had two University of Texas Outstanding Teacher Award winners. UT-Permian Basin accepted a 2019 NASPA Student Affairs Award for Gender Equity. The U.S. News & World Report placed Permian Basin 88th in the Western region. UTPB was:

• named America’s 301st most diverse college on Niche
• 103rd top value in The Economist
• 431st top master’s-level institution in Washington Monthly.

The Department of Literature & Languages offers an inexpensive BA in English degree. It’s dedicated to crafting powerful messages that connect people. The 120-hour, SACS-accredited plan has an optional Teacher Certification (7-12) track with courses like Rhetoric and American Drama. Undergrads can also:

• join the Ralph Waldo Emerson Society,
• edit The Sandstorm
• study abroad from London to Laos
• utilize the Online Writing Lab.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $6,260
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,100
Student: Faculty Ratio: 20:1

12. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

Total Points: 4
Program Website

Western Carolina University is the fifth-oldest, westernmost UNC System member. It enrolls 11,043 in more than 120 majors at a 17:1 ratio. It hosts the annual Spring Literary Festival.In 2007, WCU accepted the AASCU Christa McAuliffe Award for Teaching Excellence. WCU has been on the President’s Higher Education Service Honor Roll since 2009. The National Conference on Undergraduate Research placed WCU second nationally. WCU was named:

• America’s 58th best online baccalaureates in the U.S. News & World Report
• 231st top public education on Niche
• 176th best value on WalletHub

The College of Arts & Sciences offers an affordable B.A. in English where undergrads practice thinking critically about text and spoken word. The 120-credit, SACS-accredited major has four concentrations:

• Literature
• Motion Picture Studies
• Professional Writing
• English Studies Pedagogy

Other opportunities at this inexpensive university include:

• publishing Imagine magazine
• joining Sigma Tau Delta
• earning the Mabel Crum Scholarship
• exchanging to Linkoping University,
• performing at Bardo Center.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $3,926
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,926
Student: Faculty Ratio: 17:1

11. University of North Carolina-Pembroke

Pembroke, NC

Total Points: 4
Program Website

The University of North Carolina-Pembroke is a public, coed liberal arts school of the Lumbee Nation. Founded in 1887, it employs 387 faculty teaching and has 7,137 students. It hosts the World Literature Book Fair each April. In 2019, UNCP won its third SunTrust Connecting Communities Award. It has earned six straight American Scholastic Press Association Awards. The U.S. News & World Report ranked UNC-Pembroke the 42nd top Southern public college. The university was named:

• America’s 424th best value on WalletHub
• 477th most liberal academics on Niche
• 25th best graduation rate in Washington Monthly.

The College of Arts & Sciences offers an inexpensive English BA degree where undergrads tailor their humanities training for creative careers. The 120-credit, SACS-accredited sequence has four tracks:

• Literary Studies
• Professional Writing
• Middle Grades
• Secondary Education

Students at this top-value university can also:

• declare the TESOL Minor
• produce The Pine Needle
• volunteer with the Literacy Commons
• intern at Townsend Middle
• become Lead for America Fellows
• attend the English Symposium.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $3,418
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,418
Student: Faculty Ratio: 16:1

10. Great Basin College

Elko, NV

Total Points: 4
Program Website

Great Basin College is a public, coed baccalaureate NSHE constituent. It enrolls 2,127 women and 1,116 men and has a 64 percent retention rate. It is highly regarded for its full-tuition Nevada Promise Scholarship started in 2017. In 2017, GBC earned an American Association of Community Colleges Award for its Pahrump Campus. It also won a 2011 CASE Commonfund Institutionally Related Foundation Award. AffordableColleges.com ranked Great Basin 24th nationally for online education. It was named Nevada’s fourth most diverse community on Niche and America’s 295th most popular liberal arts school on College Factual.

The Arts & Letters Department offers an affordable Bachelor of Arts in English degree fully online in class in Elko for associate graduates. The 120-credit, NWCCU-accredited 2+2 curriculum requires minimum 2.5 GPA. Courses includes:

• Writing Fiction
• Digital Literacy
• Introduction to Poetry.

Students might also:

• earn the Spanish Interpreter-Translator Certificate
• join Phi Theta Kappa
• attend Book Club events
• intern at The Nevada Appeal
• spend the Winter Session in Florence.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $3,128
Out-of-State Tuition: $9,876
Student: Faculty Ratio: 16:1

9. Piedmont International University

Winston-Salem, NC

Total Points: 5
Program Website

Piedmont International University is a private, nonprofit Christian ACSI member dedicated to Colossians 1:18. It has 87 faculty and 823 students online and at its Winston-Salem campus. It merged with John Wesley University in fall 2017. In 2011, Piedmont accepted the Sorenson VRS Interpreter Education Program Award. It also received the Awana Youth Ministries Citation Certification Award. Christian Universities Online picked Piedmont International 30th overall. The university was named:

• America’s 14th best religious university on Niche
• 207th most focused education school by College Factual
• 105th top value in The Economist.

Since August 2014, the Moore School of Education has housed the low-cost Secondary English Education B.S. degree program for future teachers in Grades 7-12. The 130-credit, TRACS-accredited major builds on a Bible core with courses from Shakespearean Drama to Educational Technology. Undergrads can also:

• write for The Aletheias Journal
• complete practicum at Mount Tabor High
• teach in China
• attend the Bruin Blitz.

Degree Options:

BS in Secondary English Education
In-State Tuition: $9,920
Out-of-State Tuition: $9,920
Student: Faculty Ratio: 9:1

8. Delta State University

Cleveland, MS

Total Points: 5
Program Website

Delta State University is a public, four-year Gulf South college founded in 1924. It enrolls 3,784 students from 47 countries. It is home to the Winning the Race Writing Competition. In 2018, Delta State was selected for an ACS Student Chapter Excellence Award. Its Delta Jewels Oral History Partnership won the 2016 National Park Service Centennial Award. The U.S. News & World Report placed DSU among the South’s top 141. Delta State was named:

• America’s 136th best athletics college on Niche
• 333rd top university in Washington Monthly
• 278th best value by College Factual.

The Division of Languages & Literature has developed a affordable B.A. in English and B.S.E. in English Education for Mississippi Class A certification. The 120-credit, SACS-accredited bachelor’s plots concentrations for Creative Writing, Philosophy, and Literature before the senior capstone project. Majors might also:

• write for The Delta Statement
• participate in the Visiting Writers Workshop
• pursue the Weaver Betts Cotton Scholarship
• intern at WABG-TV.

Degree Options:

BA in English
BS in Education – English Education
In-State Tuition: $7,246
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,246
Student: Faculty Ratio: 13:1

7. Minot State University

Minot, ND

Total Points: 5
Program Website

Minot State University is the third-largest public, coed NDUS System member. It enrolls 3,189 students from 45 states. In 2018, Minot State won 13 awards at the North Dakota Professional Communicators College Contest. It also received the 2018 NABC Team Academic Excellence Award. The U.S. News & World Report featured Minot State University in the Midwest top 165. MSU was named:

• America’s 548th best institution in Washington Monthly
• 178th best teaching school on Niche
• 156th top value by College Factual

The College of Arts & Sciences has an inexpensive English Major (BA) and Secondary Education Major (BS) to build basic literary analysis knowledge. The 128-credit, HLC-accredited options share courses like British Literature before diverting to fulfill North Dakota 7-12 credentials. Other opportunities include:

• joining English Club
• engaging in the Northern Plains Writing Project
• publishing The Coup
• applying for the Twyman Scholarship
• intern at Minot City Hall
• semester at Kingston University.

Degree Options:

BA in English
BS in English Education
In-State Tuition: $7,064
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,064
Student: Faculty Ratio: 12:1

6. Mississippi University for Women

Columbus, MS

Total Points: 5
Program Website

The Mississippi University for Women is a public, space-grant AASCU member opened in 1884. It enrolls 3,465 coed students from 11 countries. It honors its Pulitzer Prize-winning alumna with the Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium each year. Its Mississippi Digital Library won the Cultural Heritage Digitization Award. MUW earned a 2017 American Institute of Architects Award for its 400,000-volume Fant Library. The U.S. News & World Report named MUW the 20th top Southern public school. It was also named:

• America’s 81st best public institution in Washington Monthly
• 208th best dining center on Niche
• 452nd top value in Money

The Department of Languages, Literature & Philosophy offers a top-value  B.A. in English degree that grapples with complex issues in multi-ethnic texts. The 124-credit, SACS-accredited major offers Creative Writing and Teacher Education concentrations with the optional TESL Certification. Undergrads at this low-cost college may also:

• write for The Spectator
• join Sigma Delta Pi Honor Society
• take the Ireland/Scotland trip
• add the Women’s Studies Minor
• intern at the Mississippi Center for Non-Profits.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $6,940
Out-of-State Tuition: $6,940
Student: Faculty Ratio: 14:1

5. Mayville State University

Mayville, ND

Total Points: 5
Program Website

Mayville State University is a public, four-year NDUS System member created in 1889. It employs 84 faculty and enrolls 1,184 students. In 2015, the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges included seven MSU students. The university was chosen for the Education Department’s 2018 Strengthening Institutions Program Grant. The U.S. News & World Report ranked it the 43rd top Midwest choice. MSU is ranked America’s 594th hardest admission on Niche and 301st best value on College Factual.

The Arts & Sciences Division offers an affordable English B.A. and English Education B.S.Ed. These HLC-accredited plans range from 120-130 credits of courses like Oral Interpretation of Literature based on North Dakota 7-12 teacher certification goals. Students at this affordable university can also:

• access Byrnes-Quanbeck Campus Library
• join the English Club
• compete on the Speech Team
• intern at Central Valley School
• study abroad in Denmark.

Degree Options:

BA in English
BS in Education – English Education
In-State Tuition: $6,666
Out-of-State Tuition: $9,399
Student: Faculty Ratio: 14:1

4. Mississippi Valley State University

Itta Bena, MS

Total Points: 5
Program Website

Mississippi Valley State University is a public, state-funded historically Black TMCF member opened in 1950. It enrolls 2,406 students. It hosts the annual Children’s Literature Workshop. In 2019, this low-cost university won a Southeast Regional EMMY Chapter Award nomination. MVSU accepted the 2019 Mississippi Board of Trustees’ Higher Learning Diversity Award. The U.S. News & World Report labeled Mississippi Valley State the 36th best HBCU nationwide. It was named:

• America’s 115th best Greek life on Niche
• 307th most focused English literature program by College Factual

The Department of English & Foreign Languages offers the affordable BA in English degree for multi-faceted training that refines thinking and writing skills. The 124-credit, SACS-accredited Itta Bena program begins with Composition 101 before Literature, Creative Writing, and Education specializations. Undergrads can also:

• tutor in the Writing Center
• attend the Zelma T. Howard Lecture
• edit The Valley Connection
• pledge Sigma Tau Delta
• write for the Haiku Page
• broadcast shows on WVSD 91.7FM.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $6,550
Out-of-State Tuition: $6,550
Student: Faculty Ratio: 15:1

3. Central State University

Wilberforce, OH

Total Points: 5
Program Website

Central State University is a low-cost, four-year historically Black TMCF member affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1897. It enrolls 2,119 students. It’s highly regarded for its $6,180 Bahamian Student Merit Scholarship. In 2018, Central State won HBCU Digest magazine’s School of the Year Award. It was a 2017 Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education Faculty Excellence Award finalist. The U.S. News & World Report named Central State among the top 79 Midwest choices. Central State was named:

• America’s 251st best party school on Niche
• 43rd best baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly.

The College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences offers a low-cost B.A. in English degree ideal for studying the syntax and phonology of public discourse. The 124-credit, HLC-accredited major enrolls first-year freshmen in Introduction to Writing before selecting the English Literature or Pre-Law Track with LSAT prep. Other opportunities include:

• producing The Gold Torch
• interning at The Washington Center
• joining Black Defined
• pledging Zeta Phi Beta
• traveling from Barbados to Bulgaria.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $6,346
Out-of-State Tuition: $8,346
Student: Faculty Ratio: 13:1

2. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC

Total Points: 5
Program Website

Elizabeth City State University is a public, four-year historically Black UNC System member founded in 1891. It enrolls 1,310 undergrads and 47 post-grad in 40 programs. It holds the Dr. Harold Harvey Murrill Collection in Little Library. In 2014, this affordable university earned the Top 10 HBCU Award from the Building Green Initiative. ECSU’s Phi Beta Lambda Honor Society received the Gold Star Chapter Award. The U.S. News & World Report ranked the university 71st among Southern colleges. It was recognized for America’s third top value by Student Loan Hero and 149th best bachelor’s in Washington Monthly.

The Language, Literature, and Communication Department offers the affordable B.A. in English degree for fluent undergrads who convey information powerfully. The 120-credit, SACS-accredited path builds atop the first English Composition and Grammar course with a Mass Communication or News Media concentration. Majors may also:

• publish The Compass
• intern at Radio One
• join the International Shakespeare Association
• record in the Johnson Hall Audio Booth.

Degree Options:

BA in English
In-State Tuition: $3,194
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,194
Student:Faculty Ratio: 14:1

1. Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND

Total Points: 6
Program Website

Dickinson State University is a small public, coed NDSU System member. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. It enrolls 1,500 students in 75 four-year degrees. in 2020 it was awarded $12 million to open the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. In 2012, this top-value school’s website received a Horizon Interactive Media Award. Dickinson was also given the 2010 SOT Undergraduate Education Program Award. The U.S. News & World Report called Dickinson State the 52nd top Midwest school. It was also named:

• America’s 85th best value by College Factual
• 365th best dining center on Niche
• 294th top baccalaureate provider in Washington Monthly.

The Department of Language & Literature offers and affordable B.A. in English or B.S.Ed. in English Education for individuals intrigued by studying human culture through print. The 120-credit, HLC-accredited programs in Stickney Hall have Creative Writing or Literature tracks available plus required senior projects. Undergrads may also:

• attend the Albers Humanities Festival
• join Sigma Tau Delta
• publish in Impressions
• participate in the Heart River Writers’ Circle
• finish practicum at Southwest High.

Degree Options:

BA in English
BS in Education – English Education
In-State Tuition: $6,768
Out-of-State Tuition: $9,546
Student : Faculty Ratio: 10:1

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Careers are Open After a Cost-Effective English Language Arts Degree?

Best-value English language arts degrees are smart investments because they’ll build practical life skills for a huge variety of careers. For example, copy editors are literary sleuths who proofread written pages to ensure content is factually and grammatically correct. Public relations specialists use persuasive language to shape a positive image of organizations or individual clients. Translators are bilingual linguists who convert text from language to language with total accuracy. Screenwriters create engaging, poignant dialogue between characters to plot films audiences will enjoy. Biographers apply their English mastery in chronicling the life of notable or notorious people throughout history. Secondary English teachers lead lessons in 7-12 classrooms for fluent and non-native speakers to improve their reading comprehension. Other English language arts bachelor’s career opportunities, include:

• magazine journalist
• grant writer
• content manager
• social media director
• librarian
• advertising planner.

What is the Salary Potential With an Affordable English Language Arts Degree?

Completing a cheap English language arts degree can pay off by preparing your resume for creative careers that have higher-than-average compensation. In May 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $57,530 for all communication jobs. Authors received median 12-month pay of $73,090. Technical writers received slightly more with a $75,500 average. The United States’ 37,140 news correspondents made mean income of $55,530. Public relations specialists with English bachelor’s earn $68,440 on average. Literary editors are compensated a mean $69,480 salary. Translators report earnings of $27,230 to $90,610 each year. High school English teachers are paid an average $64,340. Economical English language arts degree graduates with experience can claim lucrative promotions too. Salary.com shows that top public relations executives make a whopping $219,714.

How is the Job Outlook for Low-Cost English Language Arts Degree Graduates?

Critics wrongfully argue that inexpensive English language arts degree programs won’t lead to strong career placement. In reality, the Department of Labor expects hiring in communications jobs will increase 6 percent for 43,200 new jobs by 2026. Hiring of technical writers will grow faster than average at 11 percent. Employment of authors will pick up by 8 percent for 141,200 total positions. The public relations field is flourishing with 10-year growth of 9 percent. Well-paid marketing management openings will rise by 10 percent. Schools are expected to hire 76,800 more secondary teachers for an 8 percent uptick. Journalists and reporters are facing a market decline of 9 percent. NerdWallet suggests that Madison, Arlington, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Boston are the top cities for new graduates. Choose one of the best affordable colleges for an English language arts degree above to chase your passion.

AS Staff

This concludes our ranking of the 15 best affordable colleges for an English language arts degree.

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