Most Affordable Online English Degrees

Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in English

Ready to start your journey?

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Learning the technical craft of writing is easy with one of the 15 most affordable online Bachelor’s of English and can have you writing like Charles Dickens or Charlotte Brontë in no time.   

 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in English

Have you ever wondered what you can do with an English degree? A bachelor’s degree in English is a surprisingly versatile degree that can open the door to wherever you want to go! Exploring the English language by working through a degree program may be one of those life-changing experiences that makes you view the world differently and expands your point of view. 

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What Is an Online Bachelor’s in English Degree? 

An online Bachelor’s in English will teach you how to analyze and utilize the English language, which can be useful in a wide range of activities and careers. While pursuing this degree, you will learn the history of the English language, how to analyze and read writings critically, and how to critically think about and implement effective written communication. 

Given that English is the primary language of the United States and that communication underpins everything from marketing to entertainment, earning an online Bachelor’s in English will provide you the foundation to be and do what you want in life. 

How Much Can You Earn With a Bachelor’s in English Degree? 

Your annual salary after completing an online Bachelor’s in English will depend on the career you choose to pursue. One of the most obvious and popular utilizations of an English degree is to become an author or writer, which typically earns just over $62,000 per year. 

Other popular careers for English majors include becoming an editor or reporter. The median annual income for an editor is a little under $60,000 per year, and for a reporter, it’s $41,260

What Is Required for a Bachelor’s in English Degree?

One trait you should have, though it’s not necessarily required to earn an English degree, is a love for reading and writing. Other than that, most schools that offer a Bachelor’s in English require that applicants to their program have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. 

Most schools require students to submit an application packet that may or may not include an essay. If you are looking to enter into an online Bachelor’s in English program directly from high school, some schools require that you submit ACT or SAT scores, while others waive this requirement. 

See Also: Art History Degree On Line: 10 Best Degrees

What Are the Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in English?

OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses student satisfaction, admission rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the median debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.

The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.

West Virginia State University

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $7,370
  • Features three annual writing contests each year
  • Ranked one of the Best Bachelor’s in Writing by TheBestSchools.org
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

79%

Acceptance Rate

98%

Programs Offered Online

5

Median Debt

$27,500

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

West Virginia State University tops our list of the most affordable online Bachelor’s in English because of its affordable tuition and academic rigor. The school offers an online Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Technical Writing. This degree will train you in writing professional technical documents within four years of starting the program. 

Indiana University-East

Indiana University-East

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $7,971
  • 60 credit hour program
  • Can be completed in six semesters
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

80%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Programs Offered Online

11

Median Debt

$22,635

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

3%

Indiana University East’s online Bachelor of Arts in English is taught by expert faculty who will impart their knowledge and expertise by providing you a first-rate education. This BA degree features a Technical and Professional Writing specialization in which students with an associate’s degree can complete their bachelor’s with only 20 additional classes. These 20 classes will take just two years to complete. 

Louisiana State University-Alexandria

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $8,853
  • More than 250,000 alumni of LSU Online
  • Features Dedicated Learner Concierge Service
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

31%

Programs Offered Online

7

Median Debt

$17,061

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

4%

Clear writing is an essential skill in any career, and LSU-Alexandria has realized this by creating a program that teaches writing, editing, copywriting, critical thinking, time management, and more. Take advantage of everything this school has to offer, including accelerated seven-week classes with affordable tuition of only $291 per credit hour. The BA in English from this university can be completed in one year if you bring in the maximum number of transfer credits. 

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $9,647
  • Top 5 Most Innovative Schools for regional colleges in the North by U.S. News & World Report
  • Four-year program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

78%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Programs Offered Online

4

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

3%

The University of Maine at Presque Isle gives you the blueprint to your success and a step-by-step guide to help you finish your BA in English in four years. You’ll take English classes from the very first semester of this program to the last, allowing you to dive deep into the subject. To complete the degree in four years, you’ll have to take around 16 credit hours per semester, which is around five classes.   

Clayton State University

Clayton State University

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $10,232
  • Various internships in print and digital media available
  • Offers mentoring opportunities with faculty
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Programs Offered Online

8

Median Debt

$31,095

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

The online BA in English from Clayton State University features the same curriculum taught to on-campus students. Students in the online program are required to create a writing portfolio at the end of their first year of study that will aid them in finishing their capstone project needed for graduation. CSU will even consider publishing your writing in its textbooks during your first year. 

Dickinson State University

Dickinson State University

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $11,390
  • No. 1 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees by Affordable Colleges Online
  • Features Literature and Creative Writing tracks
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

68%

Acceptance Rate

99%

Programs Offered Online

22

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

1%

When pursuing an online BA in English that emphasizes creative writing, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better school than Dickinson State University. This degree will teach you to create an original literary argument and piece of literature. The degree will also expose you to a wide variety of writings from British, American, and international writers. 

Nicholls State University

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $11,896
  • Features small class sizes taught by highly-qualified professors
  • No. 13 Best Online Bachelor’s in Writing by TheBestSchools.org
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

77%

Acceptance Rate

94%

Programs Offered Online

7

Median Debt

$24,898

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

1%

You may want to give Nicholls State University your undivided attention if you want to pursue a BA in English with a concentration in Film Studies. The degree is designed to teach students to write content for television and film. The school requires an online orientation course to acclimate students to the learning platform to ensure a smooth transition into your English degree. 

Arizona State University

Arizona State University

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $11,916
  • No.1 Most Innovative University in the U.S. 2020 by U.S. News & World Report 
  • Liberal Arts College is home to Fulbright American Scholars, MacArthur Fellows, and Nobel laureates
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Acceptance Rate

63%

Programs Offered Online

45

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

4%

The English department is the largest and most diverse unit at ASU, which speaks volumes for a school ranked as the most innovative in the nation. As an online student, you’ll be taught by the same experienced faculty who teach at ASU’s physical location. Innovate and flex your literary and creative muscles by attending ASU for your BA in English degree. 

University of Illinois at Springfield

University of Illinois- Springfield

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $12,054
  • Ranked among the Top 10 Public Regional Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report
  • Features English Honors program
  • Four English department scholarships available
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

73%

Acceptance Rate

52%

Programs Offered Online

11

Median Debt

$20,344

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

4%

The University of Illinois at Springfield is a school that will give you the tools to excel in a wide variety of careers through the use of the information you will learn in the BA in English. The school also has an Honors program for English majors that requires students to maintain a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.6 GPA in English. Additionally, the Honors program requires that students apply for the program, but all this extra work may pay off when it comes time to look for a job. 

Troy University

Troy University

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $12,146
  • Listed as one of the best schools in the Southeast by The Princeton Review
  • 120 credit hour program
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

76%

Acceptance Rate

88%

Programs Offered Online

18

Median Debt

$28,046

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

1%

Read and explore “The Iliad,” the Greek epic that recounts the siege of Troy, at Troy University. Unlike many of the other schools reviewed thus far, this university offers a Bachelor of Science in English degree. The English major consists of 36 credit hours, while the minor in English consists of 18 credit hours. 

Great Basin College

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $12,230
  • Regionally accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Offers degree-completion programs for transfer students with associate’s degrees
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

75%

Programs Offered Online

12

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

0%

Whether you decide to pursue an Associate’s in English or a Bachelor of Arts in English, at Great Basin College you’ll learn the foundations of the English language. The bachelor’s degree will make you more attractive to employers and provide you with a deeper understanding of literary analysis. Students admitted into the BA in English are required to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA to remain in the program. 

Western New Mexico University

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $12,500
  • Two concentrations available in Literature and Writing
  • Features options to major or minor in English
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

79%

Programs Offered Online

13

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

Part of earning a BA in English is exploring past and present issues through analyzing writings that span wide swaths of time. The English degree from Western New Mexico University emphasizes critical thinking and the creation of original written work. The university also offers a Bachelor of Science in English, which may be more suited for students wanting to explore scientific fields while studying the English language. 

Granite State College

Granite State College

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $12,905
  • Teacher Education Accreditation Council  (TEAC) accredited program
  • Ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

59%

Programs Offered Online

32

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

0%

If you live in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Vermont and want to become a teacher of English, then you should give Granite State College a look. While earning your BA in English, you can also prepare for your future by enrolling in the school’s teacher-certification option. The school has three certification options available: Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education and General Special Education, and General Special Education.

University of Memphis

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $13,663
  • Ranked No.52 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree by U.S. News & World Report
  • No. 6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Creative Writing by BestCollegeReviews.org
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

76%

Acceptance Rate

85%

Programs Offered Online

18

Median Debt

$26,206

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

The University of Memphis understands that you have a busy life with a lot of responsibilities, which is why the school works with its online students to help them reach their goals. With a BA in English from U of M, you can choose between concentrations in African American Literature or Professional Writing. Both concentrations consist of 120 credit hours, 27 of which must be in the English major. 

University of Maryland Global Campus

Quick Facts

  • Tuition Net Price: $15,256
  • Ranked among the Best Online Colleges in Maryland by GuideToOnlineSchools.com
  • No. 1 Best College 2018, Online & Nontraditional Schools by Military Times
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

73%

Programs Offered Online

31

Median Debt

$25,730

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

At the University of Maryland Global Campus, English is more than a degree; participate in this school’s English and Humanities Club, which will allow you to put in the extra time to polish your writing skills. You’ll be able to explore different types of writing, ranging from poetry to Postmodern American literature. While working toward your bachelor’s degree, you will complete general education requirements and 33 credit hours in the English major. 

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.