If you’re looking for a versatile liberal arts degree, a bachelor’s in English may just be the right choice for you. Because writing essays and attending classes on topics such as fiction, drama, and poetry are a big part of the online English major curriculum, it’s no surprise that English majors are quite often learners who love to read and write. English is also a general-purpose degree that won’t tie you down to a single career path, making it a great choice for anyone seeking an education while keeping their options open.
Employers seek employees who can communicate effectively, and an English degree lets them know that you can. The comprehensive education provided by an online English bachelor’s degree program will not only cement your grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills, it will also develop your ability to write clearly and persuasively through a solid understanding of style and structure. The degree is also tailored to produce graduates well versed in literature and armed with the ability to critically read and analyze content. A bachelor’s degree in English can pave the way for career advancement and higher salaries that aren’t as easily obtained with an associate degree, and if you are inclined to earn an advanced degree, it will prepare you for future graduate study in many different fields.
Most Affordable Online English Degrees in 2020
Rank | University | Annual Tuition |
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#1 | University of Central Florida | $11,028 |
#2 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | $10,440 |
#3 | University of Illinois at Springfield | $10,879 |
#4 | Arizona State University-Skysong | $10,595 |
#5 | University of Houston-Victoria | $8,645 |
#6 | University of Memphis | $10,883 |
#7 | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | $15,355 |
#8 | Indiana University-East | $5,598 |
#9 | Southwestern Assemblies of God University | $22,216 |
#10 | Nicholls State University | $8,681 |
There is a wide spectrum of job opportunities for English majors with a range of salaries to match. Graduates with a bachelor’s in English can find employment in writing-focused fields such as journalism, marketing, public relations, advertising, and publishing, but good communication skills can translate into a job almost anywhere, and English majors often find work in education, technology, business, non-profits, and numerous other areas.
Like most liberal arts degrees, a bachelor’s in English can lead to many solid and interesting career choices, and an affordable online English degree program could be the first step on your path to success. Earning an English degree online is an excellent option for anyone looking to fulfill their education goals while maintaining the flexibility and convenience of being able to attend class at home on your own schedule. The following list of accredited online English degree programs is ranked according to both tuition costs and return on investment, so that you can easily identify an affordable program that is right for you.
Rank | School | Score | Toggle | Content |
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1 |
University of Central Florida |
Value Score 7.12 |
The University of Central Florida, located in Orlando, has been offering online degrees for 20 years and currently offers over 80 online degrees and certificates. Online learners have access to resources such as peer-assisted learning, online tutors, and academic advising. This affordable degree charges slightly higher per-credit tuition to out-of-state students. Residents of Michigan, Minnesota, and Oregon are not currently eligible for UCF online programs. The online bachelor of arts in English-literature requires 120 semester hours and a minimum 2.0 GPA to graduate. Students in this online English degree have a variety of choices when completing their degree. Courses include theories and techniques of literature study, creative writing, and research and writing. Students must also meet computer competency requirements. Learners must be proficient in a foreign language that’s equivalent to at least three semesters of study. Visit School Website |
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2 |
University of Massachusetts-Lowell |
Value Score 6.53 |
The bachelor of arts degree in English at the University of Massachusetts is one of the college’s more than 50 online degrees and certificates. Students are required to earn at least 120 credits to graduate. The degree is suited for students who are interested in literature or writing, either creative or professional. Students in this online English degree take 12-18 classes in the English major, including six electives from recently-launched courses such as monsters, apes & nightmares, turning fiction into film, and children’s literature. Students can try a demo course to experience the Blackboard LMS. Online students have access to 24/7 technical support. All undergraduate online students pay the same affordable per-credit tuition rate regardless of residency. Financial aid is available and students can apply for online-program specific scholarships. Residents of Arkansas, Kansas, and Minnesota are not currently eligible for UML online programs. Visit School Website |
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3 |
University of Illinois at Springfield |
Value Score 6.52 |
University of Illinois’ affordable bachelor of arts in english is offered fully online and prepares students for careers in editing, marketing, journalism, and more. Students participate in small online classes and receive access to career services, tech support, the library, and tutoring. This English degree online has a special tuition rate for online courses, E-tuition, which is the same for all students regardless of residency. Applicants must have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours, though 60 credit hours or an associate degree is preferred. A statement of intent is also required for this competitive program. Applicants who submit their materials by the priority deadline will be notified of a decision in four to six weeks; students are only admitted in the fall and spring semesters. The degree requires 121 credit hours, including 34 credits of major coursework. Visit School Website |
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4 |
Arizona State University-Skysong |
Value Score 6.30 |
Arizona State University online currently serves over 30,000 students through more than 150 online programs, which includes 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees. The bachelor of arts in English is a fully-online, 120-credit degree that has a four-year degree plan and a three-year fast-track option. Students can begin the program at one of the six start dates during the year. The online English degree features the same faculty who teach on-campus, and ASU prides itself on its innovative courses that utilize over 130 online learning platform tools. The tuition rate is set for each program and is a per-credit flat rate with no extra program fees. Terms last seven and a half weeks and students generally take two to three courses each term. All online students have a designated success coach to advise them and connect them to on-campus resources. Visit School Website |
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5 |
University of Houston-Victoria |
Value Score 6.25 |
The University of Houston in Victoria, Texas offers online degrees in the School of Arts and Sciences, including the bachelor of arts in humanities-English. Student services include advisors that assist with degree planning, course transfers, choosing courses, and disability services. The student success center offers a peer education program and a writing center. This English degree online requires 120 semester hours of credit. Coursework is delivered through the Blackboard platform. Credits include the state-mandated 42-credit core curriculum of courses that are essential to all disciplines, such as writing, speaking, and critical thinking. The degree also consists of 18 credits of upper division coursework in English and 34 credits of electives, which can be applied towards a minor. Graduates can pursue careers in broadcasting, business, nonprofit organizations, literary agencies, and more. Common positions include news writer, technical writer, copywriter, and publisher. Visit School Website |
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6 |
University of Memphis |
Value Score 6.17 |
The University of Memphis offers an online bachelor of arts in English that has two concentrations available: African American literature and professional writing. The university has 60 degrees online, and none require visiting the Memphis, Tennessee campus. Most courses are asynchronous. Student services include academic advising and support, career and library services, and an online orientation. Courses in this English degree online have the same cost as on-campus courses with only slightly higher per-credit tuition for non-residents. Course requirements in the two concentrations are similar, with the same department core. Students in the African American literature concentration take classes that include African American lit since the Harlem Renaissance. Students in the professional writing concentration take courses such as professional writing/editing. Most major courses are offered each fall or spring through the Desire2Learn platform. Visit School Website |
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7 |
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College |
Value Score 6.03 |
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods’ online programs do not require prior college experience, with 35% of students starting their program with less than 15 hours of previously-earned college credit. Students can earn college credit towards their bachelor of arts in English by transferring in credits, testing out of a course, or through prior learning assessments. The college has one of the largest online programs in Indiana, with students from 33 states and five countries. SMWC features year-round start dates and student support that includes online tutoring, mentors, and accessible faculty. With eight-week terms, students earn a degree in an average of four years, generally taking two courses per term. This affordable online college offers scholarships and financial aid. The school has a flat-rate, per-credit tuition. The online English major consists of 125 credit hours, which includes 39 credits of English and related courses. Required courses include literature and myth, American women writers, and nonfiction literature. Visit School Website |
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8 |
Indiana University-East |
Value Score 5.89 |
Indiana University-East, located in Richmond, offers a bachelor of arts in English with an emphasis in technical and professional writing. It’s a degree completion program that can be completed entirely online. The program allows a student to finish with 60 credits, assuming they have 60 transferable credit hours or an associate degree. Most students complete the program in about two years. Students who follow the two-year degree plan take between six and 12 credits per term with courses that include American fiction to 1900, digital writing, and studies in American culture. Students must earn a C or better in required English courses. Tuition for this affordable online English degree is charged on a per-credit basis, with residents paying slightly lower tuition than non-residents. Online students also pay a $50 per credit hour fee for online courses; financial aid is available. Visit School Website |
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9 |
Southwestern Assemblies of God University |
Value Score 5.82 |
Students in the online bachelor’s programs at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas are eligible for a 15% tuition grant, which can be applied towards the entire degree if students remain continuously enrolled. Students can also earn up to 45 credit hours for prior knowledge and work experience. Online bachelor’s degrees are available fully online with asynchronous courses that are accessible 24/7. Students applying to online programs must be 22 years old. The bachelor of arts in English is a 127-credit program that has three optional tracks: literature, writing, and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). General education requirements include 24 credits of general Biblical studies with courses such as foundations of church ministries and new testament literature. Major studies in this online English degree total 42 hours, which includes 27 hours of required English courses and 15 hours from either the chosen track or classes chosen from a variety of tracks. Visit School Website |
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10 |
Nicholls State University |
Value Score 5.57 |
Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, offers an online bachelor of arts in English with three concentration options: creative writing, literary studies, and professional writing. Each concentration is 18 credits of required and elective courses, part of the 120 credits needed to complete the degree. All students complete a capstone course that encompasses degree reflection and career exploration and development. Students pursuing a cheap online BA English degree are charged per-credit, with no out-of-state fees for online students. All online course terms are eight weeks, with six terms per year. Students can earn their degree in three years if they complete three courses per term. Degrees can be completed fully online. Courses are mostly asynchronous, taught by faculty who are specially trained to teach online. Online students can participate in virtual advising through Google hangout. Visit School Website |
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11 |
California Baptist University |
Value Score 5.39 |
California Baptist University, located in Riverside, offers over 40 majors and concentrations online, including the bachelor of arts in English. Courses are offered through the Blackboard platform and start every eight weeks; year-round courses allow students to complete the program quickly. Students who only need to complete the 48 units of major requirements can complete their English degree online in 16 months. Students can earn up to 36 units in one year. The university allows students to transfer up to 100 credits into programs, with a maximum of 30 credits allowed from examinations. All online students are charged the same per-unit tuition. Graduates are prepared to work in writing, editing, and publishing, or pursue graduate studies in teaching, marketing, and law. Upper division courses include multicultural literature and shakespeare. All students are required to complete Overview of the Bible and foundations of Christian thought. Visit School Website |
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12 |
Chaminade University of Honolulu |
Value Score 5.34 |
Founded in 1955, Chaminade University is the only Catholic university in Hawaii and is one of three Marianist universities in the United States. The university’s Office of Professional and Continuing Education offers fully-online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees through the Canvas platform, including the bachelor of arts in English. Online applications and official transcripts are accepted throughout the year as students can start in any of the four, 10-week terms. Tuition is charged per-credit and financial aid is available. Student resources include tutorials and career services. The online English degree offers two areas of concentration: writing or literature and criticism; students are not required to choose a concentration. The degree requires 120 credit hours, which includes 59 credits of general education requirements, 15 credits in the area of concentration or electives, and major requirements. Visit School Website |
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13 |
King University |
Value Score 5.33 |
The online bachelor of arts in English at King University, located in Bristol, Tennessee, requires students to have earned at least 45 semester hours to be accepted into the program. The degree requires 48 semester hours of major courses, which can be completed entirely online in 16 months, with no on-campus requirements. Tuition is charged per-credit. Students can transfer up to 76 semester hours of credit and can enroll in the spring, summer, or fall terms. Students must have earned at least 124 semester hours and pass an assessment test of 75 general education questions. English majors are required to submit a portfolio of three papers at the end of the program, which can also be presented to prospective employers. Courses in the online English degree include religion and literature, british romanticism and the nineteenth century, and appalachian literature. Visit School Website |
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14 |
Louisiana State University-Alexandria |
Value Score 5.31 |
The bachelor of arts in English at Louisiana State University-Alexandria is a 120-hour, completely online program. Required credits include 39 hours of general education courses, 39 hours of major courses, six hours of foreign language, and 36 hours of electives. Major courses include the novel, Southern literature, and major writers world literature, a course that changes topics with study based around a specific theme or historical period. Online courses, delivered through the Moodle platform, are seven weeks long with multiple start dates per year. This affordable program charges the same per-credit tuition for all online students, regardless of residency, and offers financial aid to eligible students. The university accepts a large number of previously-earned credits. Online student support includes online library resources, tutoring, academic advisors, career services, and Moodle support. Distance learners must complete the online orientation. Visit School Website |
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15 |
University of Maine at Presque Isle |
Value Score 5.23 |
The online bachelor of arts in English includes faculty that have a master’s degree, and 90% have a terminal degree. Online students are assigned an advisor who teaches courses and guides the student through the program. Students can complete a degree in three years, including summers. Online courses also have the same student-to-faculty ratio as classes on campus. This online English degree is 120 credits, which includes 40 credits in general education and 39 credits in the English major. Major courses cover topics such as world literature and creative writing, with choices in areas such as literature survey and language and theory. Students in this affordable program pay the same per-credit amount for online courses as on-campus courses, with Maine residents paying slightly lower tuition than non-residents. Visit School Website |
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16 |
Ottawa University-Ottawa |
Value Score 4.92 |
Ottawa University, located in Ottawa, Kansas, was founded in 1865 and began offering online programs in 2008. Online programs have a student-to-faculty ratio of 4:1, and students are assigned an advisor to guide them through the program. The eight-week courses are accessible 24/7. Students can sample a course, delivered through the Blackboard platform, before applying to the university. Both online and on-campus bachelor’s programs are the same per-credit tuition rate, with financial aid available. The bachelor of arts in English helps students develop strong communication skills, essential for a number of professions, and students have the option to add a minor. Students who have previously earned college credit can transfer a maximum of 80 credits. Students in the English degree online take introductory, survey, and writing courses. Courses include environmental literature, protest literature, and literature of personal discovery. Visit School Website |
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17 |
Western New Mexico University |
Value Score 4.90 |
Western New Mexico University is located in Silver City. All online courses in the bachelor of arts in English are asynchronous, and there are no on-campus requirements. Online students have access to tutoring, library services, and IT assistance, which includes 24/7 support for Canvas, the online learning platform. In-state students pay lower tuition than non-residents, and all students can guarantee their tuition rate by enrolling in 30 credits per year and maintaining a 2.0 GPA. Non-residents may also be eligible for waivers to provide in-state tuition if they reside in states that participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange program. This online English degree requires 36 hours of major courses. The program requires that students select a minor, which is 18-24 hours in either communication, criminal justice, digital forensics, philosophy, political science, psychology, or rehabilitation services. Students can also work with an advisor to create their own minor in another field. Visit School Website |
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18 |
Clarion University of Pennsylvania |
Value Score 4.80 |
Students in the bachelor of arts in English at Clarion University of Pennsylvania complete their program online through the course management system Desire2Learn. Learners develop strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. The degree requires 120 credits, with 24 credits required in the English major. Students can choose branch specializations such as literature, creative writing, writing, or linguistics. Courses include advanced English studies, intro to the English language, and reading and writing. Online students have access to the library, career services, the online writing center, tutoring, and wellness services. The mandatory online orientation acclimates students to the learning platform and the university’s resources. Tuition for this online English degree is slightly higher for non-residents of Pennsylvania. Online students can apply for scholarships. Graduates are prepared for careers in education, law, human services, marketing, advertising, public relations, and more. Visit School Website |
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19 |
University of Maryland-University College |
Value Score 4.70 |
University of Maryland-University College, one of the 12 institutions of the University System of Maryland, offers over 90 degrees, specializations, and certificates through online and hybrid classes. Asynchronous courses are offered in eight-week terms. Maryland residents pay less tuition than out-of-state students. All students can take advantage of the university’s open educational resources, which are online resources that have mostly replaced the need to purchase textbooks. Online student support includes tutoring, writing services, and the UMUC library. The bachelor of arts in English, available entirely online, is a 120-credit program. Students with previously-earned college credit can transfer in up to 90 credits. Courses in this online English major include history of the English language, Shakespeare studies, and postmodern American literature: 1945 to 1999. Online courses use Learning Experience Online, their own online classroom that features an interactive calendar and audio messaging. Visit School Website |
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20 |
Granite State College |
Value Score 4.68 |
The bachelor of arts in English language arts at Granite State College in Concord, New Hampshire, is available with or without teacher certification. Students interested in teacher certification can pursue early childhood, elementary, and special education certification options. The BA degree is a 120-credit program, and at least 30 credits must be completed at Granite State. Applications are accepted throughout the year and students can begin any term. Transfer students comprise 84% of the students body, and those with an associate degree can pursue the transfer pathway option of study. Career counseling is available to all students, including those who have not yet enrolled. Residents of New Hampshire pay slightly lower tuition than non-residents for the online English degree. The certification option is not available to students in all states. Visit School Website |
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21 |
Mary Baldwin University |
Value Score 4.50 |
At Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia, 99% of students qualify for need-based aid, and students can also apply for scholarships specific to online students. All online students are charged the same per-credit tuition rate. Students can transfer up to 90 credits and advisors help online students create a customized education plan to earn their degree. The bachelor of arts in English has no on-campus requirements. Courses are taught through the Blackboard platform. Students must complete 126 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree, with 33 credits in the English major. The curriculum includes several British literature courses and American literature: colonial to romantic. All seniors are required to take the major field test in English before graduation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and students can start online programs in fall, spring, and summer. Visit School Website |
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22 |
Mercy College |
Value Score 4.45 |
Mercy College offers over 30 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs entirely online. Online students have access to services such as academic advising, the online learning center, and career services. Students can transfer up to 90 credits from a four-year college, or up to 75 credits from a two-year college. Mercy College, located in Dobbs Ferry, New York, has the lowest tuition of any private college in the state, and is among the lowest in the nation among private colleges. Full-time students with no prior college credit can earn the 120-credit bachelor of arts in English in four years. The degree includes 60 credits of general education requirements, 36 credits in the English major, and 24 credits of open electives. Students in this online English major must take at least one course from all four categories of classes: classical texts, social and cultural contexts, literary genres, and historical periods. Visit School Website |
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23 |
National University |
Value Score 4.41 |
National University is one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in California. Headquartered in La Jolla, the school has 28 locations across the country and an online college. Among the 90 undergraduate and graduate degrees offered online is the bachelor of arts in English, a 180 quarter-unit program with an optional concentration in creative writing. General education requirements comprise 70.5 of the units. Students in this English degree online who do not add the creative writing concentration can choose from courses such as film as art, origins of English, and nature writing. Students can apply to the university at any time and can begin classes year-round. All undergraduate students are charged the same per-quarter unit rate, with most courses equaling 4.5 quarter units. Online career services include an online job portal, career counseling, salary negotiation information, and workshops. Visit School Website |
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24 |
Heritage University |
Value Score 4.38 |
Bachelor of arts in English students at Heritage University, located in Toppenish, Washington, learn critical thinking and communication skills that can be translated into careers in education, editing, researching, and writing. The curriculum has a focus on multiculturalism, which students can explore by studying diverse authors from various backgrounds. Classes include Native American literature, grant writing, and Latino/a - Chicano/a literature. Professors are professionals in their field; some are published authors. Courses in this English degree online are asynchronous and available 24/7. Students are charged tuition based on their semester credits, and 95% of students receive some form of financial aid, which can include scholarships. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Residents of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Texas cannot pursue online degrees from Heritage. Visit School Website |
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25 |
Columbia College |
Value Score 4.27 |
Online courses at Columbia College are offered asynchronously through the Desire2Learn platform in eight-week terms, with six terms per year. The college offers 27 online programs and more than 350 online classes each term. New online students participate in an orientation to acclimate to the online classroom and student resources such as academic advising and technical support. The bachelor of arts in english is a 120-credit program, and online students participate in the literature emphasis. The literature emphasis includes 24 semester hours of core requirements and 18 semester hours of electives, which can be chosen from courses such as major literary figures, readings in poetry, and ethnic traditions in American literature. Students who have previously-earned college credit comprise about half of Columbia’s students. Visit School Website |
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