by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for english students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Bowdoin College tops our 2027 list of the best value english schools in the New England Region. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $49,421 early in their careers. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Colby College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,016. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for english. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $33,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Williams College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. English graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,474 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $33,022 early in their careers. Set against $26,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bridgewater State University came in at #6 for value in english this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $46,748. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Salem State University earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. English graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $32,844 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #8 for value in english this year. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,402, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,434. English graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #9 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $30,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Framingham State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. English graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $37,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot for english value this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $35,859 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Harvard University landed the #12 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. English graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $30,838. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #14 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,960. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $35,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Maine landed the #15 spot for english value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,250. English graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $28,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Keene State College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $39,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Vermont ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $24,968 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $31,293. That is a strong return on a $24,968 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Yale University placed #18 among the best values for english. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical student debt for english graduates is $14,357. English graduates of Yale University earn a median of $41,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College placed #19 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $41,979. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Rhode Island placed #20 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. English graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $30,137. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,697. Early-career english graduates make about $31,016. That is a strong return on a $24,697 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #22 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $24,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Eastern Connecticut State University earned the #23 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $30,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #24 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $31,661. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University landed the #25 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for english graduates is $13,500. Early-career english graduates make about $50,437. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for english this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.