The successful process of a writer in today’s relentlessly competitive marketplace relies not only on creative input, but on critical thought, highly accessible communicative skills, and the drive and ability to produce quality content for employers. By earning an online master’s in English, students are preparing themselves for a higher quality of earning potential and professional success. Social and professional worlds rely on the qualities of engaging communicators to reach target markets, perform substantial research, and bring consumers in with powerful, effective language. Writers are needed for jobs in medical writing, government, blogging, marketing and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a faster than average 8 percent growth in career opportunities for technical writers in the next 8 years, as well as a 6 percent growth in public relations specialist careers. While other callings for the professional writer remain achingly competitive, with little to no growth prospects for authors, editors, and freelancers, students with this particular master’s degree may still earn full-time salaries of up to $71,000.
GetEducated has surveyed 32 online master’s in English degrees from 29 regionally accredited schools to create this “Best Buy” list. These rankings represent the most affordable options across the United States. Review and compare fully researched options before taking the next step in an academic career.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$16,500
Least Expensive: East Carolina University ~ $8,225.58
Most Expensive: Belmont University ~ $39,460.00
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 master’s in English. The online English degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2019 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
19 Most Affordable Online Master’s in English
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | East Carolina University | (NC) | $8,225.58 $29,496.06 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $10,801.56 $38,006.76 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Eastern New Mexico University | (NM) | $11,284.00 $14,659.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | Eastern Illinois University | (IL) | $11,566.50 | All Students |
5 | Jacksonville State University | (AL) | $12,000.00 | All Students |
6 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $12,600.00 $17,280.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | University of West Florida | (FL) | $12,691.80 $15,801.39 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Louisiana Tech University | (LA) | $13,116.00 $22,520.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | (NE) | $13,201.00 $19,861.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | Tarleton State University | (TX) | $13,485.96 $28,677.96 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | South Dakota State University | (SD) | $13,974.00 | All Students |
12 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $14,250.00 | All Students |
13 | Texas A & M University - Commerce | (TX) | $14,955.92 $30,147.92 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | (MN) | $15,211.20 | All Students |
15 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $15,314.00 | All Students |
16 | The University of Texas at Tyler | (TX) | $15,660.00 $32,616.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | University of New Orleans | (LA) | $15,757.00 $22,245.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | (LA) | $16,500.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Old Dominion University | (VA) | $17,346.00 $18,786.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Morehead State University | (KY) | $17,970.00 | All Students | |
Wayland Baptist University | (TX) | $18,336.00 | All Students | |
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $18,642.00 $20,796.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
National University (School Merged) Master of Arts in English 14 | (CA) | $19,990.00 | All Students | |
Ohio Dominican University | (OH) | $20,850.00 | All Students | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $21,351.00 | All Students | |
Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $21,528.00 | All Students | |
 Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $22,722.00 $17,070.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Belmont University | (TN) | $39,460.00 | All Students |
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Accreditation Note: To qualify for a ranking, a 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 online master’s in English degree programs. 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 master 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 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 a master’s degree 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 schools for English 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 master’s in English for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Get an Online Master’s in English?
An affordable online master’s in English will teach the precise mastery of the English language, all while allowing you to study some of the most significant, elegant, and impactful works of literature and composition. You’ll learn to develop prose, both correctly and creatively, establishing skills that can apply to numerous occupations, including education, communication, advertising, and even the legal profession.
Many people who pursue a top online master’s in English degree will go into the teaching profession, either at the high school or collegiate level. However, a master’s in English can also apply to careers as writers, editors, marketing managers, and more.
Online Master’s in English: Program Types
Teaching is a common profession for people who obtain these degrees, but these are not teaching degrees. You won’t learn how to develop curriculum, grade papers, manage classrooms, and deliver lectures. You will instead learn about the English language. You’ll take a deep dive into classic and modern literature. You’ll learn to craft works of writing that meet a high standard for almost any purpose. You’ll learn strategies for shaping a narrative, techniques for assembling world-class poetry, and ways to make clear, well-researched arguments in written form.
While teaching is not the main focus, some programs will have a small section on teaching practices, especially teaching writing and composition.
The best online master’s in English programs can come with a variety of concentrations and specializations. Available concentrations include multicultural writing, transnational literature, professional communication, creative writing, and rhetoric.
Another important consideration is thesis vs non-thesis programs, which are sometimes offered by the same school. For example, Jacksonville State University offers thesis and non-thesis versions of their Master of Arts in English. The non-thesis version requires 30 semester hours of English courses, while the thesis option requires 24 hours of approved English courses as well as six semester hours on the thesis project. A thesis is a large research-driven paper.
Most programs take one to three years to complete; two years is the typical time for most students to complete these degrees, which take about 30 to 60 credit hours to finish.
Courses in an Online English Master’s Degree
The best online master’s in English programs will feature a combination of courses that blend writing development with the study of English literature. Courses will not only refine your skills as a writer and editor, they will help you understand the history of English literature from a vast array of sources.
Courses in writing will develop your skills in composition and prose. Classes may fall under titles like “Fiction Writing,” “Poetry Writing,” and “Narrative Strategies.” When complete, these classes can help you become a better writer, one who can create top-quality literature, articles, academic papers, and long-form narratives.
Many of the courses will seem more like a history class than writing instruction. An affordable online master’s in English will strengthen and deepen your understanding of literary history, and will include studies on literature from many parts of the globe and many periods of history. Literature-history classes may examine writing from periods that include:
- The American colonial period
- 18th century America
- Medieval Britain
- Renaissance England
- The Romantic Period
- 20th-century America
- Post-World War II era
Some programs are more focused on rhetoric and persuasive writing. If this is the case, students can expect classes on descriptive language, rhetoric theory, propaganda history, and the use of prose.
Accreditation for Online English Master’s Degrees
Students who want a high-quality education from a leading organization should ensure their school has been accredited by a leading organization. Accreditation is the assurance that a college or university is meeting a high standard for academic quality. “Institutional” accreditation is granted to an entire college or university by groups that have been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education.
Various accrediting groups cover different regions of the country. For example, schools in southeastern states are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), while schools ranging from West Virginia to Arizona are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The best online master’s in English degrees come from accredited institutions.
There is also programmatic accreditation for specific programs, but this is not used for master’s degrees in English. As long as the institution is accredited, the program will deliver a high-quality education.
Accreditation is important not only for academic quality. Students attending accredited schools have access to more financial aid because federal grants and loans are only available to students in these schools and programs. This is especially important for graduate students, who are often working professionals on tight budgets and strict time constraints.
Transferring credits to and from a master’s program can be easier if you are attending an accredited institution
Although less common for English majors, attending an accredited institution will also ensure access to certification and licensing tests. For example, if you want to become an English high school teacher, you’ll want to attend an accredited school for your master’s degree.
Admission Requirements for an Online Master’s Program in English
A master’s degree, while not the highest form of education, is an elite level of academia that requires vigorous study and a deep commitment to scholarly pursuits. They are not easy to complete, and simply enrolling in the programs, for many students, can be a challenge.
The base requirement for a master’s program (English or otherwise) is a bachelor’s degree. If you have not completed a four-year bachelor’s program, you will not be eligible for a master’s.
Even if you have a bachelor’s, you still need to meet certain requirements, including a minimum GPA from previous studies. While many bachelor programs, if they have a GPA requirement at all, request a 2.0 or better, the typical minimum GPA for a master’s degree is 3.0, although this can go as high as 3.5 for a top online master’s in English.
Schools often try to be flexible and accommodating with their admissions. There are usually options for students who may not meet the exact requirements of the program. For example, Jacksonville State University requires students to have at least a 3.0 GPA for “unconditional admission.” Those with GPAs below this line can be enrolled with “conditional admission.” For these students, the school requires a GPA of at least 3.0 in the first 12 hours of graduate classwork.
During the application process, you’ll submit numerous documents and information. This could include transcripts, letters of recommendation, and writing samples, depending on the program. Many programs also require a “letter of intent,” also known as a “statement of purpose.” This is a written document that outlines why you want to enroll in the program and what you will do with your new skills after graduation.
Enrolling in a master’s degree can be challenging, and requires more time than an associate’s or bachelor’s, but most students with a good academic track record will find a program that accepts their application.
Online Master’s in English: Cost Analysis
A master’s degree in English can be surprisingly affordable and, as we will see, the financial benefits of a master’s degree can be enormous throughout a lifetime, making this a strong personal investment.
The average cost for the best online master’s in English programs in our database was $16,500 for the complete degree. Assuming a two-year program, the average student needs $8,250 per year to pay for their degree.
The cheapest online master’s in English program is, of course, even more affordable. East Carolina University offers an online Master of Arts in English. For in-state students, this degree only costs $8,225.58 in full. Students only need a little over $4,000 per year to complete the program. Central Florida and Eastern New Mexico also offer programs that are less than $12,000, but these programs, like the East Carolina degree, are more affordable for in-state students.
For all students, a good option for an affordable online master’s in English is the Master of Arts in English from Eastern Illinois and Jacksonville State. These two online degrees are available for $12,000 or less, and this price is available to all students, not just residents of the state.
The least affordable online master’s in English program is the Master of Arts in English from Belmont University. This degree cost $39,460 for the entire program, which equals almost $20,000 a year in a two-year track.
Licensing & Certification for English Graduates
Many careers require a license or certification. Occupations in healthcare and structural engineering, for example, need a license to work in the profession. English-based careers are different, as many do not need a license and certification is uncommon. However, there is one clear exception: high school teachers.
High school English teachers typically need a license from the state to teach. All states have this requirement, although teachers in private schools may not have to fill this need. The requirements vary by state, but most will need at least a bachelor’s degree and will have to complete student-teaching education. They will also need to pass a background check and certification test.
Beyond public teaching, most graduates of the top online master’s in English programs will not need a license or a certificate. Post-secondary (college) English teachers do not need a license, although professional experience may be required before someone can land these positions.
Writers and editors, another common job for graduates of English master’s programs, do not need a license or certification.Salary & Career Information for English Professionals
Earning a master’s degree can bring significant financial benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree (all majors) was $1,334 in 2021. Assuming 52 weeks of work every year, this comes out to $69,368 annually. The median weekly income for someone with a master’s (all majors) was $1,574, which calculates to $81,848 a year, a difference of $12,480 annually.
(Remember that the average cost for a master’s in English was $16,500. Using these numbers, we can assume that a master’s degree can pay for itself in less than a year and a half.)
Earnings depend on your skills as well as your specific career. A college professor has strong earnings and a stable career field. The median salary for all postsecondary teachers is $79,640 (May 2021), but English teachers at the college level have a median salary of $75,930. The number of these teachers is expected to grow by 6%, resulting in almost 77,000 English professors by 2023.
Next Step in Your English Education
If you are pursuing a master’s degree in English, it’s never too early to consider the next step in your education, which is a doctorate.
These are the highest levels of education, and are generally required for a teaching position at a major university. A doctorate is critical for aspiring college professors, so students should consider potential transfer options and admission requirements when selecting their master’s program.