By Jennifer W. Eisenberg
December 2019
The conventional wisdom about the value of a college degree is that a degree in English is likely the most useful one to have. The knowledge and skills learned in studying language and literature can be directed toward almost any academic discipline, and opportunities in the field have multiplied with the advent of the digital age. Here are only a few of the jobs that a graduate in English Literature/Writing can feel confident to be qualified for: advertising and media; law business and industry management; librarian and library technician; editing; public relations managing; communications and information specialist; technical writing; education administration; creative writing; teaching; and desktop publishing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, technical writers can expect average salaries of around $71,000 per year. Professionals in this essential field may see an 11% job growth through 2026, which is faster than average. Public relations managers can earn between $58,000 and $110,000 per year, with a 6% growth projected. Librarians and library technicians can earn salaries that range from $57,000 to $90,000, though a master’s degree in library science would eventually be needed.
The colleges and universities that are presented here have been thoroughly researched and ranked according to the categories shown in the charts. When a tie occurs, precedence is given to lower tuition cost.
Six-Year Graduation Rate Ranking
- Above 61% – 5 points
- 60% and under- 4 points
- 50% and under- 3 points
- 40% and under- 2 points
- Under 30% – 1 point
Cost per Credit Hour:
- $300 and under – 5 points
- $400 and under – 4 points
- $500 and under – 3 points
- $600 and under – 2 points
- $700 and under – 1 point
Student to Faculty Ratio:
- 10:1 and under – 5 points
- 15:1 and under – 4 points
- 20:1 and under – 3 points
- 30:1 and under – 2 points
- Above 31:1 – 1 point
Regional Accreditation: 5 points
#1 – Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana
Online BA in English
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $496
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 57%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 7 to 1
Points: 17
Website
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College began as a mission in 1841 by nuns from France to the wilds of what was then the American frontier, to establish an academy for women. The college offers an online bachelor of arts in English that is a 43 credit hour major. The varied curriculum includes such courses as pop fiction, literature and myth, women writers, advanced studies in fiction, and the age of Shakespeare. To apply to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College for their online BA in English degree, send transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and no application fee, but, upon acceptance, a deposit will be required, to be applied to tuition when classes begin.
#2 – Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, Louisiana
BA in English Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $275
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 44%
Student-Faculty Ratio:19 to 1
Points: 16
Website
The online bachelor of arts in English degree offered by Nicholls State University touts four concentrations, each of which calls for 18 credit hours: creative writing; film studies; literary studies; and writing and rhetoric. The curriculum includes the following courses, one from each concentration: three genres; introduction to film; Southern literature; and technical writing for the sciences. The application process for Nicholls State University’s online BA in English requires transcripts showing a minimum 2.0 GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and a $20 fee.
#3 – University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Online BA in English Literature
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $383.86
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 73%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 30 to 1
Points: 16
Website
The University of Central Florida has an online bachelor of arts in English Literature degree that is a 36 credit hour major. UCF’s perks for online students include a success coach, academic advisors, access to on-campus and online libraries, and IT support. Sample courses are fundamentals of oral communication, the humanities, world literature, gothic literature, native American literature, literature of the Bible, and early American women’s words. To apply to University of Central Florida’s online BA in English Literature degree, send transcripts that show a minimum 2.0 GPA and a $30 fee.
#4 – Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, Virginia
Online BA in English
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $460
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 47%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 10 to 1
Points: 16
Website
The online bachelor of arts in English from Mary Baldwin University is a 33 hour major for which the department strongly urges that English majors study a foreign language through the intermediate level. Curriculum for the online BA in English includes British literature to 1780 and British literature from 1780 to the present, similar courses for American literature, and introduction to Shakespeare. Mary Baldwin University was founded in 1842 and is a small coeducational institution with the mission to “empower leaders to pursue lives of purpose in a changing world.” To apply, submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores, but no application fee.
#5 – Troy University
Troy, Alabama
BS in English Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $338
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 43%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 16 to 1
Points: 15
Website
Troy University’s online BS in English degree is a 36 credit hour major, administered in 9-week terms, and with five starting dates throughout the academic year. Acceptance to the program calls for transcripts showing a minimum 2.0 GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and a $50 fee. Courses for the online BS in English degree include American literature before and after 1875, British literature before and after 1785, advanced grammar, history of the English language, and advanced technical and professional writing. Troy University has awarded more than 20,000 online degrees and considers the institution a pioneer in online education.
#6 – Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Online BA in English: Writing and Rhetoric Track
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $345.87
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 58%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 26 to 1
Points: 15
Website
Florida International University offers a 100% online bachelor of arts in English: writing and rhetoric track degree that is a 120 credit hour program. The curriculum includes creative writing, linguistics, rhetorical theory and practice, professional and technical writing, writing and new media, and scientific writing. Florida International University has been administering distance courses for more than 20 years, and more than 42 thousand students have taken one or more of the 1,000 plus online courses. FIU’s online BA in English: writing and rhetoric track calls for transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and a $30 fee.
#7 – University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
BA in English Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $463
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 48%
Student-Faculty Ratio:15 to 1
Points: 15
Website
The online bachelor of arts in English degree from the University of Memphis is a 33 credit hour major with two concentrations, African-American literature and professional writing. The curriculum includes African-American literature through the Harlem Renaissance, African-American authors of the Harlem Renaissance, African-American literary movements, professional writing, web design/online writing, and persuasive writing. The online BA in English from the University of Memphis asks for the following when applying: transcripts; ACT/SAT scores; and a $25 fee. Essentials to online success include access to library services, technology support (except on posted holidays), and academic advising.
#8 – Western New Mexico University
Silver City, New Mexico
BA or BS in English Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $323.14
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 23%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15 to 1
Points: 14
Website
Western New Mexico University has an online bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in English that boasts two concentrations: literature or writing. All required online coursework may be asynchronously delivered. The program is thirty-six credit hours, plus a minor. Sample courses are native American literature, the novel, life and literature of New Mexico, heroic myth and legend, women writers, and psychological perspectives on literature. Western New Mexico University’s admissions calls for transcripts and a $30 fee to enroll for their online BA or BS in English degree program. The Writing Center offers help with assignments.
#9 – West Virginia State University
Institute, West Virginia
BA in English: Technical Writing Online
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $316
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 29%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 19 to 1
Points: 13
Website
West Virginia State University was founded in 1890 as a historically black college and now has a racially integrated student body. The school offers a 33 credit hour major, 100% online bachelor of arts in English: Technical Writing degree. The curriculum reflects today’s high demand for digital-age material and includes the following courses: introduction to desktop publishing; technical report writing; information design; and diversity literature courses. West Virginia State University application requirements for their online BA in English: Technical Writing degree call for a 3.0 minimum GPA and a $20 fee. With less than 3.0 GPA, send ACT/SAT scores.
#10 – Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota
Online BA in English Education
Regional Accreditation: Yes
Online Hourly Tuition (out of state, where applicable): $642.24
Six-Year Graduation Rate: 41%
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13 to 1
Points: 13
Website
Valley City State University is proud of its small classes and individual attention to students, in addition to efficiency and convenience. The school’s online bachelor of arts in English Education degree has a diverse curriculum with courses such as introduction to film, linguistics and language acquisition, young adult literature, critical theory, and technical and scientific writing. The program also offers the opportunity to earn credentials in ELL (Teach English Language Learners), library media, and information science. To apply to Valley City State University’s online BA in English Education, submit transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and a $35 fee.
Other Rankings of Interest: