The realm of English studies will always be in demand and will always have a supply of new literary works, even with modern technological advancements. The study of the English language can apply to almost every aspect of human society and these online Masters in English programs will set you apart as a candidate with exceptional skills, determination, and knowledge. The online aspect of these graduate program degrees ensures that you can continue your English education from wherever you want or need with an internet connection.
The median income for holders of a Master’s Degree in English is between $63,400 and $69,000, which is right around the US average household income. The field of English and literature post-secondary educators has a projected growth of 2% in the next decade. This degree program opens a wide variety of doors to you such as professional writing, publishing, teaching English, and even speech pathology, which entails such skills as the historical and contemporary study of literature, English theory, grammatical format, and education in these subjects.
Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online master’s in English degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Online Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in July of 2022.
2023 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Master’s in English Degrees
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| #1 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | $8,961 |
| #2 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | $10,591 |
| #3 | University of Louisiana-Monroe | $10,846 |
| #4 | University of Wyoming | $11,085 |
| #5 | Louisiana Tech University | $11,304 |
| #6 | Murray State University | $11,736 |
| #7 | University of New Orleans | $12,140 |
| #8 | Eastern Illinois University | $13,098 |
| #9 | Arizona State University | $13,107 |
| #10 | Fort Hays State University | $13,189 |
| #11 | Valdosta State University | $13,240 |
| #12 | Western New Mexico University | $13,679 |
| #13 | University of North Alabama | $13,699 |
| #14 | Indiana University – Bloomington | $14,619 |
| #15 | Texas Tech University | $16,194 |
| #16 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | $17,099 |
| #17 | Minnesota State University at Mankato | $17,159 |
| #18 | Old Dominion University | $17,204 |
| #19 | South Dakota State University | $18,578 |
| #20 | National University | $20,722 |
| #21 | Gardner Webb University | $20,776 |
| #22 | Tiffin University | $23,309 |
| #23 | Wayland Baptist University | $25,086 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Master’s in English Degrees
1. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Average Net Price: $9,922
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Eastern New Mexico University began in 1934 as a community college and is now the largest comprehensive university in the region. Their efforts in education and the advancement of the arts and sciences have allowed them to acquire accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission as a symbol of their sophistication and effectiveness. With an acceptance rate of around 60%, they are reasonably selective, while not a particularly difficult school to get into.
ENMU offers the only fully online Master’s of Arts degree in English in the state of New Mexico. Their English department holds the third-largest science fiction collection in the country, including many original documents. The MA English at ENMU requires 27 credit hours of coursework out of 33 credit hours worth of classes, ensuring that you and your fellow English students will be able to focus on honing your skills and understanding for an efficacious Master’s degree in English.
2. The University of Texas of Permian Basin
Average Net Price: $7,424
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Founded in 1973 by approval of the state legislature, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin was founded in Odessa, Texas. Their efforts in education have earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges, thus showing their effectiveness in educating. With this pedigree and their continuing efforts in higher education, they’ll prepare you aptly for a rewarding career.
The graduate school at UT of the Permian Basin offers an online Master’s degree of Arts in English, ensuring that their learning opportunities can be accessed from virtually anywhere. This English program degree is accomplished through a tandem of classes including Literature and Mythology, Literature and Visual Arts, and Rhetoric of Religion: “Teaching, not Preaching” to help expand your knowledge and command of the English language. This English program and the reputable professors therein are dedicated to your success and capability.
3. University of Louisiana-Monroe
Average Net Price: $10,134
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 78%
The University of Louisiana – Monroe was founded in Monroe, Louisiana in 1931 as a Parish Junior College. Since then, it has grown to house nearly 8,500 students as it does today and to sport a reputation as a welcoming school with a strong sense of community. It has also earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges.
ULM offers four different online Masters degrees in English covering the practice, teaching, and continuing theory of writing and speaking the English language. To increase your effectiveness in the English field, they provide a series of sophisticated classes including American Poetry, American Prose, and English Literature Before 1800. With a Master’s in English from ULM, you’ll be sure to find recognition as one well-prepared for a career in the English field.
4. University of Wyoming
Average Net Price: $12,224
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Based in Laramie, Wyoming, The University of Wyoming offers a Master’s degree in English. This school ranks #12 in Most Conservative Colleges in America and has an A- ranking with their best ranking categories being an A in athletics and A- in diversity, values, and party scene, all from Niche.com. The University offers emphases within the umbrella of literature, public humanities, rhetoric, composition, and writing to help students find the specific focus within the English subject that they find fascinating.
5. Louisiana Tech University
Average Net Price: $11,630
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Louisiana Tech University is a public research university with ongoing research projects ongoing at their campus funded by NASA, the Dept. of Defense, the National Institute of Health, and the National Science Foundation. Their efforts in research and the advancement of the sciences have earned them an accreditation from the SACS Commission on Colleges. When you graduate from LTU, you’ll be well equipped with cutting-edge skills and technical know-how to prepare you for a successful career.
Louisiana Tech offers an online Master’s degree of Arts in English with both thesis and non-thesis options. Each of these English degree programs is comprised of a regimen of useful classes such as American Poetry, Occupational Technical Writing, and Teaching College Composition, each intended to ensure that you leave the school informed and authoritative. With an online MA from Louisiana Tech University, you’ll be sure to join the throngs of successful LTU alumni.
6. Murray State University
Average Net Price: $11,628
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Murray State University was established as a place for educators to increase their skills in 1922. Its classes were conducted on the ground floor of a middle school for the first year until their first building could be constructed. In 1926, it became a four-year school and went on to now offer 64 bachelor’s programs, 42 master’s degrees, and more. Their efforts and quality in educating have earned them a well-deserved accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Murray State offers a Master’s of Arts online degree intended mainly for future educators. Their MA in English is comprised of 30 credit hours, focusing on research methods, English theory, and literary content study. This English online program is comprised of classes including Historical Principles in Composition Theory, Special Topics in Rhetoric and Composition, and Teaching Writing in Schools. MSU’s sophisticated efforts in English teaching and the skills they instill in students will ensure that you enter the job market aptly equipped with knowledge.
7. University of New Orleans
Average Net Price: $11,256
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 83%
The University of New Orleans is a public university built on a retired Navy base and founded in 1956. UNO used to be a part of Louisiana State University and was titled Louisiana State University in New Orleans, or LUNO. Their accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools serves as a testament to the quality of the learning opportunities offered both on-campus and through online language arts classes.
The University of New Orleans provides four different Online Master’s degrees in English, including specializations in British and American literature. These four graduate study degrees are made possible through classes such as Advanced Fiction Writing, Colonial & Early National American Literature, and Literature of England in the Later Middle Ages, each of which is designed to strengthen your grasp of the English language. With any of these online programs, you will be aptly prepared for a rewarding career in the teaching, study, and execution of the English language.
8. Eastern Illinois University
Average Net Price: $13,098
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Since 1951, Eastern Illinois University has educated the Charleston area in the arts, sciences, and humanities. EIU’s staff is committed to elevating and advancing the personal and professional lives of their student body through graduate degree programs and courses to support the development of their professional skills and knowledge. With over 300 graduate-level staff working to help you to succeed at the highest levels of academia, EIU is the perfect place to broaden your horizons.
Eastern Illinois University’s English graduate program provides a 33-credit MA degree which includes options in Rhetoric/Composition, Literary & Cultural Studies, and Creative Writing. The faculty are active scholars and writers who provide individualized attention to the students in their seminars. The English MA program is ideal for working high school teachers who wish to continue their education and prepare for dual-credit teaching, those preparing to teach English at the community college level or to apply to Ph.D. programs, creative writers seeking to hone their craft, and other working professionals who seek a flexible English MA program. This online graduate program also offers a Summer Writing Institute to full-time educators, where they can earn 6 credits in a 4-week online course.
9. Arizona State University
Average Net Price: $13,107
School Type: Public
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Arizona State University is a public university in Phoenix Arizona, founded in 1885. They are ranked first in the nation for global impact research and innovation, according to Times Higher Education and US News and World Report, respectively. Their over 120 student organizations and clubs ensure a thriving student community and extensive opportunities for social growth and extracurricular achievement. This diverse and multifaceted approach has ensured their recognition by the Higher Learning Commission.
The English department at Arizona State offers an online Master’s in English studies with their College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This degree is made available by an array of classes which include Pedagogy, Research Methods, and Theories of Change to ensure that you will leave ASU with a degree and a broad knowledge base for your career. With the weight of an online Master’s degree from Arizona State University, you will stand out as a capable, skilled candidate with a powerful resume.
10. Fort Hays State University
Average Net Price: $13,189
School Type: Public, Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 91%
In 1902 Fort Hayes State University was founded in Hays, Kansas as an extension of what is now Emporia State University. Their campus is situated on a decommissioned military fort, hence their current name. US News and World Report rank FHSU as 36th in the nation for top public schools. Their student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1 and their acceptance rate is 89%, ensuring that their student experience is both personalized and accessible.
Fort Hayes State grants you access to an online Master’s in Liberal Studies with a focus on Literary Arts. This degree consists of 31 credit hours, including a broad array of courses with international and historical emphases. Classes for this degree include Film and Literature, Nineteenth-Century Women Writers, and The Novella, each covering large swaths of history and relevant literary figures. These classes help ensure that this degree will prepare you for great success in the workplace.
