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2023 Most Affordable Online Colleges for English Degrees

By the OnlineU team | Updated 11/16/2022
2022 Most Affordable Online Degrees Badge

An array of schools offer affordable online English degrees that students can pursue at home and during their spare time. This degree helps students master the English language and enter a range of careers that require the accurate use of grammar and vocabulary. In fact, online English bachelor's degrees can help graduates land a career in editing, publishing, writing, or in any number of business-related fields.

While some online English degrees are offered on the bachelor's level, there are also online master's degrees in English to consider as a next step. 

Read on to learn about the best and most affordable online colleges for English degrees at the bachelor's level. Also note that you can view our methodology for details about rankings or learn more about us

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All tuition numbers were manually collected and verified
Rank School Locations Annual Tuition
# 1 #1 Clayton State University Morrow (GA) $5,694
# 2 #2 Central Methodist University Fayette (MO) $7,800
# 3 #3 Louisiana State University - Alexandria Alexandria (LA) $8,000
# 4 #4 Nicholls State University Thibodaux (LA) $8,250
# 5 #5 Clarion University Clarion (PA) $8,334
# 6 #6 University of Maine at Presque Isle Presque Isle (ME) $8,400
# 7 #7 Thomas Edison State University Trenton (NJ) $9,278
# 8 #8 Southern New Hampshire University Online Manchester (NH) $9,600
# 9 #9 Drury University Springfield (MO) $9,920
# 10 #10 Texas Tech University Lubbock (TX) $10,890
#1
#1
Annual Tuition: $5,694
Annual Tuition: $5,694
Annual Tuition: $5,694

Clayton State University (CSU) is a public institution of higher education that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in English, which typically takes four years of full-time study to complete. English majors must have a C or higher in all English classes and courses to satisfy elective requirements, while secondary English Education majors must have a C or better in all classes. The acceptance rate at CSU is approximately 69%, and 40% of these accepted students graduate.

Individuals who pursue this degree online will use a digital learning platform, called BrightSpace, to submit coursework and take exams. While some of the courses in the school's online program can be taken at any time of the student's choosing, others require showing up at a specific time. The curriculum for this degree program aims to help students become an expert in the English language while building skills that apply to careers in nearly any field. Some core classes for the degree include English Composition, Literature, and Advanced Composition.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 88%
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,153
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 275
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#2
#2
Annual Tuition: $7,800
Annual Tuition: $7,800
Annual Tuition: $7,800

Central Methodist University (CMU) is a private, nonprofit institution that offers a Bachelor of Arts in English, which students can pursue in-person or online. This online degree program requires 120 credit hours, and most students can complete it with a full-time commitment of four years. The acceptance rate at CMU is currently at 95%, so students who apply have a good chance of being asked to attend. Meanwhile, the school's graduation rate is currently at 51%

At CMU, students use a digital learning platform, called Canvas, to access their coursework, take exams, and participate in other aspects of their work. Some of the school's online courses are asynchronous, while others require students to attend at a specific time. Major core courses in this program include Literature, Creative Writing, and Cinema, and students need to complete a capstone project in order to graduate.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 100%
  • Average SATs: 930 -1100
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,734
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 159
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC
#3
#3
Annual Tuition: $8,000
Annual Tuition: $8,000
Annual Tuition: $8,000

Louisiana State University (LSU) is a public university that offers a Bachelor of Arts in English, which students can earn 100% online. This degree typically requires 120 credit hours from start to finish, and full-time students can complete the program in as little as four years. That said, LSU allows students to transfer up to 90 credits from previous institutions, so they may graduate even faster. Also, note that LSU features a 64% acceptance rate, and 31% of students graduate with their degrees.

At LSU, online students can benefit from accelerated 7-week courses that are offered in a student-friendly format. Course times are flexible, so students can complete their studies at any time, provided they have an internet connection. Core classes for this degree include English Composition, English Grammar, and Creative Writing, to name a few. Graduates with this degree can move on to begin careers in public relations, writing, and content management.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
  • Average SATs: 940 -1050
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,035
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#4
#4

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux (LA)
Annual Tuition: $8,250
Annual Tuition: $8,250
Annual Tuition: $8,250

Nicholls State University (Nicholls) is a public institution of higher education that offers a Bachelor of Arts in English through an entirely online format. This program requires 120 credit hours from start to finish, and students may finish in four years if they learn full time. Note that Nicholls has an acceptance rate of 93%, and 46% of students graduate.

At Nicholls, students learn through the school's platform and may be required to take online tests through ProctorU or Respondus. Core courses required for this program include Creative Writing, Literary Studies, and Film Studies. Additionally, students can choose to pursue this degree with a concentration in Literary Studies, Film Studies, Children’s and Young Adult Literature, Creative Writing, or Writing and Rhetoric.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
  • Average SATs: 1000 -1172
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 653
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 288
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC
#5
#5

Clarion University

Clarion (PA)
Annual Tuition: $8,334
Annual Tuition: $8,334
Annual Tuition: $8,334

Clarion University (Clarion) is a public institution with two online degrees in this field — a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies - English. Both degree programs require 120 credit hours, and students complete these credits online through Clarion's digital learning platform. The acceptance rate at Clarion is currently at 94%, while 51% of students graduate with their degrees.

At Clarion, remote students participate in their coursework through D2L Brightspace (Desire2Learn), the school's web-based learning management system. Courses are flexible, meaning online students can complete their studies around their own schedule. Some of the core courses offered in this program include Creative Writing, Literature, and Professional Writing. Alumni may go on to enter careers in publishing, editing, content management, and many other industries.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
  • Average SATs: 940 -1130
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 699
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 741
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: MSCHE
#6
#6
Annual Tuition: $8,400
Annual Tuition: $8,400
Annual Tuition: $8,400

The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) is a public institution offering an online degree that may appeal to those interested in studying English. The school's Bachelor of Arts in English – Professional Communication and Journalism is competency-based, meaning its 120 required credit hours can take 12 months of study to finish if a student already has some education. Currently, UMPI has a high acceptance rate of 99%, and 44% of students graduate with their degrees.

At UMPI, students can learn entirely on their own schedule and move through coursework quickly if they're focused on their studies. Online courses are offered in eight-week sessions, and core courses are offered in English Grammar, Journalism, Communications, and more. Graduates may go on to enter careers in journalism, content management, and marketing.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 91%
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 313
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NECHE
#7
#7
Annual Tuition: $9,278
Annual Tuition: $9,278
Annual Tuition: $9,278

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a public institution of higher education that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in English. This four-year degree requires 120 credit hours in total, yet TESU says the school is open to accepting transfer credits from other institutions. The current acceptance rate at TESU is 100%, and 48% of students graduate with their degrees.

Online courses offered through TESU can be accessed through myEdison®, the school's online course management system. Classwork is offered on a flexible basis, so students can study, learn, and take exams on their own time and schedule. Some of the core courses for this degree include English Composition, Public Speaking, Sociology, and Technical Writing.

  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 9,475
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 655
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: MSCHE
#8
#8
Annual Tuition: $9,600
Annual Tuition: $9,600
Annual Tuition: $9,600

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Online is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education that offers a range of digital learning options. This includes their Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English and Bachelor of Arts in English — both of which teach students how to accurately use the English language for business and creative purposes. This program requires 120 credit hours of learning, and most students can complete it in four years or less if they keep up a full-time pace. SNHU has an acceptance rate of 94%, and 40% of students graduate with their degrees.

At SNHU, students use BrightSpace to access coursework, participate in online lectures, and complete assignments and exams. Courses are offered on a flexible basis, and the curriculum for an English degree aims to help students turn their passion for reading and writing into a career. Some core classes for this major include Literary Theory, Philosophy, and Critical Thinking. A senior thesis or internship may be required to graduate.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 77%
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 86,849
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 19,526
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: NECHE
#9
#9

Drury University

Springfield (MO)
Annual Tuition: $9,920
Annual Tuition: $9,920
Annual Tuition: $9,920

Drury University (Drury) is a private, nonprofit institution of higher learning that offers a range of online degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in English and Writing. This degree is offered in two different tracks — one for English and Writing majors and another for students pursuing majors in both English and Secondary Education. The English and Writing major requires 124 credit hours, which can be completed in about four years. The acceptance rate at Drury is currently at 71%, and 63% of students graduate with their degrees.

Canvas is Drury's learning management system, which means students use this digital platform to access their online courses and submit their work. The curriculum for this degree aims to prepare students for a career in writing, editing or research. Core courses include Creative Writing, Grammar, and Literature.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 100%
  • Average SATs: 1045 -1225
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 5
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 188
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: HLC
#10
#10

Texas Tech University

Lubbock (TX)
Annual Tuition: $10,890
Annual Tuition: $10,890
Annual Tuition: $10,890

Texas Tech University (TTU) is a public institution that offers a range of online degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in English. This online program can be completed within four years or less if students study full time, and it requires 120 credit hours total. However, TTU says they will accept up to nine advanced hours of transfer credits in English that can count toward this degree. The current acceptance rate at TTU is 70%, and 62% of students end up with their diplomas.

TTU offers online degrees through its learning management system, Blackboard. This means that students use Blackboard to find and complete their assignments, watch lectures, and participate in online conversations with their peers. English majors at TTU are required to choose a concentration in one of the following: Literature and Language, Creative Writing, or English Teaching. For the latter, however, this program does not lead to teacher certification on its own.

  • Financial Aid Recipients: 78%
  • Average SATs: 1070 -1260
  • Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,931
  • Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,811
  • School Type: Nonprofit
  • School Accreditation: SACS COC

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