The cheapest online English degrees provide a high-quality education at a budget friendly price tag. For those considering entering academia, the best online English bachelor’s degree programs may lead to a master’s or doctorate degree. Alternatively, an online English degree can pave the way to enter the job market. Writers are needed for jobs in both private and public sectors, from medical writing and government to blogging and marketing. The best online English bachelor’s degree programs increase one’s competitive edge, leading graduates to salaries of $60,000 to $71,000.
GetEducated has surveyed 48 bachelor’s degree in English online from 41 regionally accredited colleges to create a “Best Buy” list for aspiring students. This list reveals the most affordable online english degree options available in the United States, with a difference in tuition of up to $61,500. The cheapest online English degree programs featured on this list not only meet professional and academic goals, but fit into a realistic budget.
Average Cost (In-state): ~$47,200
Least Expensive: Great Basin College ~ $16,920.00
Most Expensive: Mercy College ~ $78,376.00
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online English degree programs. The online English bachelor’s degree programs listed above the gray dividing line are official 2019 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
25 Cheapest Online English Degree Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Great Basin College | (NV) | $16,920.00 $25,050.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Clayton State University | (GA) | $24,416.00 | All Students |
3 | Florida International University | (FL) | $28,286.72 $42,333.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 |  Eastern Oregon University | (OR) | $30,590.00 | All Students |
5 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $31,180.80 $43,318.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | Louisiana State University-Alexandria | (LA) | $32,000.00 | All Students |
7 | Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $32,002.00 $39,722.00 $30,298.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
8 | Central Methodist University | (MO) | $33,075.00 | All Students |
9 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | (ME) | $34,180.00 $51,340.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $34,500.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
11 | Nicholls State University | (LA) | $35,604.48 | All Students |
12 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $36,330.00 $43,576.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | University of Maryland Global Campus | (MD) | $37,850.00 $61,730.00 $30,050.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
14 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $38,550.00 $27,150.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
15 | Troy University | (AL) | $40,560.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
16 | Washington State University | (WA) | $41,472.00 $46,200.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 |  King University | (TN) | $41,945.00 $35,125.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
18 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $42,759.60 $53,367.60 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | Holy Apostles College and Seminary | (CT) | $43,670.00 | All Students |
20 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $44,236.00 | All Students |
21 | West Virginia State University | (WV) | $44,320.00 | All Students |
22 | Columbia College - MO | (MO) | $45,000.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
23 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | (MA) | $45,840.00 | All Students |
24 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | (MA) | $46,536.00 | All Students |
25 | Baptist University of Florida | (FL) | $46,900.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Minnesota-Crookston | (MN) | $47,752.00 | All Students | |
Ohio Christian University | (OH) | $49,760.00 $32,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Regent University | (VA) | $51,800.00 $34,400.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Midway University | (KY) | $54,000.00 | All Students | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $55,560.00 | All Students | |
Regent University Bachelor of Arts in English / Secondary English Education 14 | (VA) | $55,750.00 $36,900.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Mary Baldwin University | (VA) | $55,830.00 | All Students | |
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | (IN) | $59,645.00 $30,125.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Ottawa University | (KS) | $62,751.00 $31,875.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Southwestern Assemblies of God University | (TX) | $64,255.00 | All Students | |
National University (School Merged) Bachelor of Arts in English 14 | (CA) | $66,700.00 | All Students | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $66,800.00 | All Students | |
Chaminade University of Honolulu | (HI) | $69,930.00 $33,930.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Heritage University | (WA) | $72,612.00 | All Students | |
California Baptist University | (CA) | $78,161.00 | All Students | |
Mercy College | (NY) | $78,376.00 | All Students |
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, the affordable online English degree program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2020 review of regionally accredited and affordable online English degrees. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online bachelor degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online english degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an affordable online English degree at the bachelor’s level that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online English degrees may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online English bachelor’s degree programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Cheapest Online English Degree Programs: How to Choose
There are many reasons to complete a top bachelor’s degree in English online. Whether you have a passion for reading and writing, love classic literature, or want to gain skills for any career, these degrees provide the education you need.
English degrees cover literature and culture from Great Britain, the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking regions. They teach students to read with intent, write with clear yet engaging prose, and appreciate literature from around the globe.
Affordable online English degrees are versatile. They don’t teach a specific and narrow technical skill but instead develop communication, critical thinking, and expression. These skills can prove vital in a variety of careers.
There are a few obvious career paths, including writer, editor, technical writer, and English teacher. However, people with these degrees can also work in sales, public relations, and journalism. Many complete an undergrad degree in English and then go into careers in healthcare, law, management, public service, entrepreneurship, and technology. The options are endless.
Students should understand that the best online English bachelor’s degrees come in many varieties. The courses, like the career options, are diverse. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after completing an affordable online English degree will help you make the right choice for your future.
Types of Online English Bachelor’s Degree Programs
An online bachelor’s degree in English can come in many forms. Most of the cheapest online English degrees fall under the title of Bachelor of Arts in English. However, there are a few bachelor of science programs. Some degrees also take a specialized focus such as technical writing, history, or humanities.
There is plenty of overlap between a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science. In general though, a BS includes more focused, research-driven coursework to develop technical or specific skills. Students may need to complete science or technical credits. In addition, they could be required to complete an independent research project.
The cheapest online English degrees, like all bachelor’s degrees, require at least 120 credit hours to complete. Most students taking a full-time course load will complete their degree in four years. Accelerated plans, however, can be completed quicker. On the other hand, part-time students may need five or six years to complete their degrees.
All online English degrees will develop your sense of English composition and literary history. A student will spend time reading significant works of literature, including fiction and non-fiction writing. The programs include elements of history, culture, poetry, and critical thinking.
Typical Courses in an Online Bachelor’s in English
The cheapest online English degree programs are offered in variety of courses and subjects.
A bachelor’s degree in any subject will include a general studies component. There will also be core courses specific to the major. The general courses include a variety of academic subjects including math, science, humanities, and history. These are often completed before core classes, although some schools allow students to take both types of courses concurrently.
For an English degree, core classes will include American and British literature, as well as writing classes. Students may also study literary theory, ethical issues in literature, the history of the English language, and poetry. Most programs have a required core of classes as well as English-based electives, a long list of classes from which students can choose their interests.
For example, the Bachelor of Arts in English from Great Basin College requires courses in British, American, and multicultural literature, as well as news reporting, speech, and composition. However, students must also complete at least eight classes from the electives list. Some of the options include Writing Fiction, Digital Literacy and Composition, Principles of Modern Grammar, and Shakespeare: Tragedies and Histories.
A few of the cheapest online English degree programs are more specialized. For example, the Bachelor of Arts in English / Technical & Professional Writing from Indiana University Online takes a look at writing for technical and business purposes. Classes in this program include Advanced Technical Writing, Digital Writing, and Technical Editing.
Do the Cheapest Online English Degrees Hold Proper Accreditation?
Yes, all of the programs featured on this list of the cheapest online english degrees are regionally accredited!
Accreditation is the process of reviewing and approving a school and a specific program. Entire schools are accredited through groups that include the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). These groups grant institutional accreditation. All the degrees in our database, including affordable bachelor’s degrees in English online programs, have institutional accreditation.
There is also programmatic accreditation, which focuses on a specific type of degree. For example, the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board – American Society of Landscape Architects (LAAB-ASLA) approves landscaping degrees.
However, there is no accrediting body for English degrees. This does not mean they lack academic excellence. It simply means there is no group focused on this subject. The only group that comes close is the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). This organization, however, does not focus on English degrees, but on English-language training. People learning to read, write, and speak the English language may enroll in programs accredited by this group. Bachelor’s degrees in English, on the other hand, are for people who already know the language and are not accredited by the CEA.
It’s important to find a top bachelor’s degree in English online that comes from a regionally-accredited school to ensure the quality and consistency of your education.
Admission Requirements for the Best Online English Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Admission can be complex because each school and program will have its own unique requirements. That said, the admission requirements for most of the top bachelor’s degrees in English online are fairly light.
If there is a GPA requirement, it’s usually reasonable. In addition, you don’t have to ace the SATs or ACTs to enroll in a bachelor’s program. Most applicants will find a program that will accept them as a student.
For example, Maryville University, which offers an online Bachelor of Arts in English, requires incoming freshmen to have a 2.5 GPA or better. This translates to about a C+/B- average, which is actually high for most bachelor programs. Many only require a 2.0 (C average), while others have no GPA requirement. However, even if your scores are lower, you may still qualify at Maryville. The school says that applicants with a GPA below 2.5 may receive provisional admission for certain programs.
Some programs even accept students who have not completed a high school diploma. Great Basin College, for example, allows someone without a diploma or GED to enroll as a non-degree student. After completing six general education classes, they reclassify as a degree-seeking student.
Overall, most students will find a program that accepts their application for a top bachelor’s degree in English online.
How Much Does an Online English Degree Cost?
The cost of an online bachelor’s in English can range from less than $17,000 to nearly $80,000. The average cost for online English bachelor’s degrees in our database is $47,200. This translates to $11,800 per year, assuming a four-year track.
There are plenty of affordable online English degree options. While the cheapest online English degree is the Bachelor of Arts in English from Great Basin College, 14 programs have a total price under $40,000 for in-state students. There are 22 options available for under $45,000, so students have plenty of choices when searching for an affordable online English degree program that fits their budget.
The most expensive is the Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercy College, which has a total price tag of $78,376. This means students on a four-year track need $19,594 every year to complete the degree. The online Bachelor of Arts in English from California Baptist University is a close second. Tuition costs $78,161, only about $200 less than the highest option.
Why is one degree more expensive than another? There are a variety of reasons, but one of the main factors is public vs private schools. Public schools like Louisiana State University-Alexandria and Eastern Oregon University offer lower prices. The seven most affordable bachelor’s degrees in English online programs come from public schools. Meanwhile, the top five most expensive programs are from private schools.
Will I need Licensing or Certification?
The careers that come from a bachelor’s degree in English generally do not have licensing requirements. Unlike, say, a doctor or engineer, English-related careers largely do not need a license from the state or federal government. The only exception is high school English teachers, who need additional training and a license through the state.
Voluntary certification is an option for a variety of English careers. These credentials are optional but can boost your earning potential and job options. Technical writers, for example, can benefit from certification through the Society for Technical Communication. This group offers the Certified Professional Technical Communicator credential. This credential is available at three levels: Foundation, Practitioner, and Expert.
There is also certification available through the American Grant Writers Association. They offer a Certified Grant Writer credential that includes courses on proposal writing.
Salary & Career Outlook After a Top Online English Degree
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides statistics on education and careers, including bachelor’s degrees in English. The median wage for someone with a bachelor’s degree in English, according to their research, is $51,000. This is lower than the median for all people with a bachelor’s, which is $60,000.
People with these degrees work in a sweeping variety of industries and sectors. BLS identifies over 35% of English degree grads as working in “other” sectors. This shows the broad diversity of an English degree; the largest category can’t even be classified!
Writers and Authors
Successful writers and authors can earn a tremendous salary, but many will earn a more moderate income compared to the few world-famous authors. The median income for this career is $69,510. The top 10% earn over $133,580 annually. Growth is moderate as well. The expected growth in this profession is 5%, the same expected rate for the entire job market.
Editors
Editors earn less than authors, and the job market is expected to shrink for this profession. The median income for editors is $63,350. Meanwhile, those working for professional, scientific, and technical services earn a median income of $78,270. The top 10% in this occupation have annual salaries over $129,420. The BLS expects this career to decline in numbers. Between 2021 and 2031, the editor profession will shrink by 5%, dropping from roughly 108,000 to under 103,000. This decline is expected because of a drop in traditional print readership.
Continuing Education
The next academic step after a bachelor’s degree is a master’s. According to BLS, 46% of people with a bachelor’s degree in English also have an advanced degree. Just under half, therefore, go into further studies. Most media and communication professions do not require a master’s degree. However, some master’s-level occupations can benefit from an English degree. English-related, master’s-level careers include:
- Instructional coordinator
- Librarian
- Historian
- Museum curator
Find the Best Online English Bachelor’s Degree Program for Your Budget & Schedule
You can find the cheapest online English degrees at the bachelor’s level while meeting your high expectations. Use the informative articles and Best Buy lists on GetEducated.com and submit your information to get all the resources you need!