# Best Online Master's in English

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 50 | Category: Online Masters
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-masters-english

## Methodology

Online master's programs ranked by outcomes, online quality, and program presence in English & Literature

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering an online master's degree in English, it's essential to focus on programs that deliver strong outcomes and support your career goals. These schools stand out for their commitment to quality education and their graduates' success. The average earnings for graduates in this category is $65,704, a figure that underscores the potential return on investment for students.

What differentiates the leading programs in this list from others is their performance in key areas: graduation rates, earnings after graduation, and manageable student debt. For instance, the top schools demonstrate exceptional graduation rates, with leaders like Johns Hopkins University achieving 94%. As you explore the rankings below, consider how each program's outcomes align with your personal and financial circumstances.

Take Johns Hopkins University and the University of Central Florida as examples. While Johns Hopkins boasts an impressive average earning of $87,555, the University of Central Florida's earnings are significantly lower at $58,308. However, UCF offers a lower net price of $10,411 compared to Johns Hopkins' $18,809. This contrast highlights the tradeoffs between potential earnings and financial commitment, essential considerations for prospective students.

## Key Findings

- Johns Hopkins graduates earn an average of $87,555, substantially higher than the overall average of $65,704.
- Georgetown University has the highest graduation rate at 95%, which may indicate better student support.
- The University of Florida offers a low net price of $6,541, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious students.
- The University of Central Florida has the highest debt load at $18,190, which is something to weigh against its lower earning potential.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Southern New Hampshire University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) | Manchester, NH | 44% | $50,318 | $36,708 | $21,082 | 0.42x |
| 2 | [University of West Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-alabama) | Livingston, AL | 36% | $44,232 | $12,684 | $24,944 | 0.56x |
| 3 | [Ave Maria University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ave-maria-university) | Ave Maria, FL | 55% | $49,520 | $24,860 | $20,776 | 0.42x |
| 4 | [Liberty University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/liberty-university) | Lynchburg, VA | 64% | $44,813 | $29,357 | $24,500 | 0.55x |
| 5 | [National University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/national-university) | San Diego, CA | 42% | $67,548 | $22,878 | $25,000 | 0.37x |
| 6 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 7 | [Arizona State University Digital Immersion](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arizona-state-university-digital-immersion) | Scottsdale, AZ | 29% | $62,668 | N/A | $19,500 | 0.31x |
| 8 | [Belhaven University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belhaven-university) | Jackson, MS | 50% | $46,440 | $15,676 | $26,333 | 0.57x |
| 9 | [Louisiana State University-Shreveport](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/louisiana-state-university-shreveport) | Shreveport, LA | 35% | $47,477 | $7,022 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 10 | [Saint Leo University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-leo-university) | Saint Leo, FL | 47% | $48,364 | $21,293 | $25,278 | 0.52x |
| 11 | [Mid-America Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mid-america-christian-university) | Oklahoma City, OK | 40% | $46,116 | $16,692 | $26,394 | 0.57x |
| 12 | [Columbia International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-international-university) | Columbia, SC | 55% | $38,951 | $26,036 | $20,000 | 0.51x |
| 13 | [Maryville University of Saint Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryville-university-of-saint-louis) | Saint Louis, MO | 69% | $62,105 | $22,066 | $22,000 | 0.35x |
| 14 | [Eastern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-university) | Saint Davids, PA | 55% | $51,655 | $26,662 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 15 | [Fisher College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fisher-college) | Boston, MA | 28% | $49,669 | $26,649 | $25,000 | 0.5x |
| 16 | [Southeastern Oklahoma State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeastern-oklahoma-state-university) | Durant, OK | 32% | $45,079 | $8,039 | $17,000 | 0.38x |
| 17 | [Buena Vista University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/buena-vista-university) | Storm Lake, IA | 54% | $49,156 | $18,846 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 18 | [Spring Arbor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-arbor-university) | Spring Arbor, MI | 61% | $51,732 | $19,353 | $26,375 | 0.51x |
| 19 | [Lamar University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lamar-university) | Beaumont, TX | 37% | $49,652 | $9,366 | $21,250 | 0.43x |
| 20 | [McMurry University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcmurry-university) | Abilene, TX | 41% | $48,779 | $19,581 | $27,000 | 0.55x |
| 21 | [Wilkes University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wilkes-university) | Wilkes-Barre, PA | 62% | $63,454 | $27,743 | $26,000 | 0.41x |
| 22 | [Maranatha Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maranatha-baptist-university) | Watertown, WI | 65% | $45,593 | $26,005 | $14,143 | 0.31x |
| 23 | [Crown College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/crown-college) | Saint Bonifacius, MN | 54% | $48,057 | $26,672 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 24 | [University of Maine at Presque Isle](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-presque-isle) | Presque Isle, ME | 45% | $40,956 | $7,035 | $16,000 | 0.39x |
| 25 | [University of Mount Olive](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mount-olive) | Mount Olive, NC | 50% | $47,139 | $18,853 | $27,209 | 0.58x |
| 26 | [Park University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/park-university) | Parkville, MO | 34% | $56,309 | $21,032 | $21,685 | 0.39x |
| 27 | [University of New England](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-england) | Biddeford, ME | 65% | $55,921 | $38,107 | $25,250 | 0.45x |
| 28 | [Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-new-mexico-university-main-campus) | Portales, NM | 42% | $38,550 | $4,904 | $16,500 | 0.43x |
| 29 | [Ursuline College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ursuline-college) | Pepper Pike, OH | 61% | $56,878 | $16,164 | $26,250 | 0.46x |
| 30 | [Champlain College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/champlain-college) | Burlington, VT | 64% | $58,386 | $35,860 | $26,814 | 0.46x |
| 31 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-mo) | Columbia, MO | 44% | $45,378 | $22,715 | $23,879 | 0.53x |
| 32 | [Indiana University-East](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-east) | Richmond, IN | 42% | $47,156 | $8,134 | $18,000 | 0.38x |
| 33 | [Maharishi International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maharishi-international-university) | Fairfield, IA | 34% | $27,981 | $14,956 | $24,781 | 0.89x |
| 34 | [University of St Francis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-st-francis) | Joliet, IL | 66% | $63,926 | $13,006 | $21,079 | 0.33x |
| 35 | [Toccoa Falls College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/toccoa-falls-college) | Toccoa Falls, GA | 45% | $36,630 | $21,642 | $22,250 | 0.61x |
| 36 | [William Woods University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-woods-university) | Fulton, MO | 52% | $42,401 | $26,569 | $21,983 | 0.52x |
| 37 | [Ohio Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ohio-christian-university) | Circleville, OH | 35% | $39,813 | $20,607 | $29,579 | 0.74x |
| 38 | [University of North Carolina at Pembroke](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke) | Pembroke, NC | 44% | $43,407 | $10,260 | $25,000 | 0.58x |
| 39 | [The University of Texas Permian Basin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-permian-basin) | Odessa, TX | 42% | $56,073 | $12,723 | $17,750 | 0.32x |
| 40 | [University of West Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-florida) | Pensacola, FL | 60% | $49,137 | $9,364 | $16,624 | 0.34x |
| 41 | [Regent University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/regent-university) | Virginia Beach, VA | 56% | $44,498 | $19,923 | $24,534 | 0.55x |
| 42 | [University of Maine at Augusta](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-augusta) | Augusta, ME | 25% | $40,342 | $10,924 | $22,734 | 0.56x |
| 43 | [Morningside University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morningside-university) | Sioux City, IA | 52% | $55,494 | $31,320 | $26,028 | 0.47x |
| 44 | [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johns-hopkins-university) | Baltimore, MD | 94% | $87,555 | $18,809 | $10,250 | 0.12x |
| 45 | [Chadron State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chadron-state-college) | Chadron, NE | 44% | $47,002 | $12,549 | $18,875 | 0.4x |
| 46 | [Cottey College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cottey-college) | Nevada, MO | 59% | $35,422 | $13,805 | $19,043 | 0.54x |
| 47 | [University of West Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-georgia) | Carrollton, GA | 43% | $49,587 | $12,786 | $23,970 | 0.48x |
| 48 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-sc) | Columbia, SC | 45% | $41,338 | $18,408 | $22,750 | 0.55x |
| 49 | [Fort Hays State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fort-hays-state-university) | Hays, KS | 48% | $48,928 | $12,569 | $21,000 | 0.43x |
| 50 | [Colorado Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-christian-university) | Lakewood, CO | 60% | $50,416 | $29,500 | $28,312 | 0.56x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Online Master's in English." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-online-masters-english

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.