Affordable English and Linguistics Degree Online

Updated November 29, 2022

A Bachelor's degree in English or Linguistics from an accredited college can launch your career. Find the most affordable online degree program here.

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By BVS Staff

A Bachelor's degree in English or Linguistics from an accredited college can go a long way in helping you launch your career. Those who study English and Linguistics develop valuable communication, writing, research, and communication skills - all of which come in handy for innumerable jobs. These graduates can pursue work in business, public relations, marketing, journalism, education, or many other fields. Some earn a master's or Ph.D. in English or use their undergraduate degree as a basis for law school.

Because English and Linguistics classes often center on written assignments and extensive reports that can be submitted online, many students choose to earn their degree through distance education. If you're interested in going to college online, you'll get to experience video lectures, online discussion boards, virtual classrooms, and other technological features that mirror the experience you'd have on campus. This can make finishing college a breeze, even if you have work and family obligations - and you might even graduate early!

The 25 Best Online English Literature Degrees Ranking Methodology

Selection Criteria

For this ranking, we focused on public and private (non-profit) colleges and universities that offer English degrees online. Because the focus of this list is on affordability, we only considered programs with average* tuition rates of $20,000/year or less.

*For public schools, we calculated the average value of their in-state and out-of-state rates.

Ranking Factors

After compiling a list of all the colleges that offer online bachelor's degrees in English and meet the above criteria, we then collected data in three categories:

  • Program Popularity: How many undergraduates choose to earn their degree in English over other similar programs in language and the humanities? To find out, we looked at both the number of students who earned their bachelor's degree in English in the most recent school year as well as the percentage of all humanities program graduates that that number represents.
  • Overall English/Communication Program Strength: How many different English- and communication-related bachelor's degrees does the school offer? What percentage of students choose to major in one of these disciplines out of the entire undergraduate student body? In general, more programs and students = more time, resources, and faculty expertise that the school is willing to devote to English/communication education as a whole.
  • Affordability: What is the average annual cost of attendance?

After collecting and sorting all the information, we ranked the candidates according to their performance in each area. Finally, we summed up the results and gave each school a final score using a curve so that the top-scoring program earned an even 100 points.

Read more about the best cheap online English degree programs below!

Cheap Online English and Linguistics Degree Programs Ranked

#1 University of Texas of the Permian Basin Odessa, TX
#2 Western New Mexico University Silver City, NM
#3 Louisiana State University-Alexandria Alexandria, LA
#4 University of Maine at Presque Isle Presque Isle, ME
#5 Granite State College Concord, NH
#6 Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion, PA
#7 Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA
#8 The Baptist College of Florida Graceville, FL
#9 Arizona State University Phoenix, AZ
#10 University of Maryland-University College Adelphi, MD

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

  1. University of Texas of the Permian Basin
    Location

    Odessa, TX

    Tuition

    $6202

    Technically a B.A. in Humanities with a concentration in English, the top online English degree program at UTPB gives you a broad look at literature, art, mythology, and other cultural storytelling methods as part of the general humanities curriculum. The English-specific courses tend to cover a mostly Eurocentric canon, focusing on American, British, and Irish authors and looking at their works in their cultural context. And yet, there's plenty of room to personalize your program. In fact, you'll work with an advisor to develop a customized course of study with an interdisciplinary approach. As such, the degree is best suited for self-starters who want to take charge of their own curriculum.

  2. Western New Mexico University
    Location

    Silver City, NM

    Tuition

    $9802

    You'll choose between concentrations in Literature and Writing when you enroll in Western New Mexico University's top Bachelor of Arts in English online. Both options require 36 credit hours and give you plenty of opportunities to select electives relevant to your interests and career goals. And because the English major also requires you to select a minor, you'll get to supplement your studies with coursework in a related academic discipline. No matter your path, you'll have access to resources to enrich your online learning experience. For example, the school's writing center offers help by email, or you can take advantage of a 24/7 electronic live tutoring tool.

  3. Louisiana State University-Alexandria
    Location

    Alexandria, LA

    Tuition

    $10346

    If you have a significant number of transfer credits under your belt, you might want to consider Louisiana State University - Alexandria thanks to its generous credit transfer allowance. But all students will benefit from this fully online program, which provides a broad literature study while still incorporating composition and grammar courses. It's also a great accredited online English literature degree for those who want to study other languages, as the curriculum includes a six-credit foreign language requirement. And with four yearly start dates, it should be easy for you to find a course of study that fits your schedule.

  4. University of Maine at Presque Isle
    Location

    Presque Isle, ME

    Tuition

    $9940

    Effective communication is at the heart of the University of Maine at Presque Isle's cheap online bachelor's degree in English. Beyond the typical courses in composition, UMPI gives you the chance to flex both your creative and professional writing skills, making it a great choice no matter your career goals. The school also takes pains to maintain an online learning experience that mirrors its on-campus classes; for example, you'll benefit from the same student-faculty ratio, and you'll take courses from the same instructors. But online learners have a leg up when it comes to timing: You can earn this degree in just three years if you enroll in summer courses.

  5. Granite State College
    Location

    Concord, NH

    Tuition

    $8049

    Did you start your degree elsewhere and want to finish it at Granite State College? You're in luck; nearly 85% of students at this New Hampshire school are transfers. That's thanks in part to a Transfer Pathway program, which lets you seamlessly transfer your associate's degree to the school with the help of an advisor. But GSC also stands out on this Bachelor of Arts in English online ranking for another reason: its teacher certification pathways. With options in early childhood education, elementary education, and more, this program is a strong option for aspiring teachers. Note that the program does incorporate some on-campus work, so you'll need to be able to make the occasional commute to the Concord campus.

  6. Clarion University of Pennsylvania
    Location

    Clarion, PA

    Tuition

    $13263

    Clarion University of Pennsylvania takes a high-minded approach to its accredited online English degree program, viewing it as an eminently practical degree that can prepare students for success in various fields. Indeed, this program will do exactly that - thanks to a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and clear, persuasive writing. Although the program doesn't have a traditional concentration or track option, you can refine your studies with branch specializations that offer deep-dives into linguistics, creative writing, literature, or writing. But instead of choosing just one, you'll take classes from multiple branches to ensure your education is as broad as it is deep.

  7. Nicholls State University
    Location

    Thibodaux, LA

    Tuition

    $8432

    If a general English degree isn't specific enough to meet your needs, you'll want to consider Nicholls State University. That's because this Louisiana school offers three concentrations as part of its top English degree online: Creative Writing, Literary Studies, and Writing and Rhetoric. The program also stands out for its focus on global issues; you'll take multiple classes in world literature along with those in the more common areas of study (i.e. American and British literature). Accolades from myriad online ranking services and affordable tuition - which averages just under $8,500 - help make this an all-around strong option for just about any student.

  8. The Baptist College of Florida
    Location

    Graceville, FL

    Tuition

    $11100

    The Baptist College of Florida stands out as one of just a few Christian-affiliated schools on this online English literature degree ranking. Beyond the required 18 credits of biblical and theological classwork required of all BCF students, the English degree incorporates Christian literature and Christian writers into the curriculum and even includes an optional Creative Nonfiction: Writing About Spiritual Experiences course. But it's not all Bible-based; this literature-centric degree also includes plenty of more traditional works. Plus, you can chart your own path for the 33-credit major requirement, choosing from classes that cover Shakespeare, African-American literature, and advanced composition, among other topics.

  9. Arizona State University
    Location

    Phoenix, AZ

    Tuition

    $12456

    With frequent start dates, 7.5-week-long courses, and the option to pursue an accelerated, three-year fast-track program, Arizona State University offers an accredited online bachelor's degree in English to meet any schedule. And the curriculum doesn't disappoint, either. By balancing real-world skills - think problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership - with the traditional writing and literature emphases of an English degree, ASU ensures its graduates are ready to find careers in myriad fields. Crave hands-on experience? Choose an optional internship. And if you're local to Arizona, you'll benefit especially strongly from the partnerships the school has fostered with local businesses.

  10. University of Maryland-University College
    Location

    Adelphi, MD

    Tuition

    $9816

    Maryland residents, in particular, will want to check out the cheap online English degree program at the University of Maryland University College. Not only is the degree affordable (average tuition comes in at just under $10,000) but you can also incorporate some hybrid classes for a more traditional college experience. But even if you don't live in state, you can still benefit from this program. That's thanks to a broadly applicable curriculum that focuses on literature while also helping you strengthen your writing skills - all with the ultimate goal of improving your cultural literacy.

Thanks for reading our ranking of the 25 top cheap English degrees online!

Sources:
IPEDS Data Center
College Navigator

See also:
Top 15 Cheap Online Communication Degree Programs (Bachelor's)

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