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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bowdoin College earned the #1 spot for value among english schools in Maine. 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. English graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. English graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $49,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned it the #2 place for english. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. English graduates carry a median of $23,434 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $41,148. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Maine earned it the #3 place for english. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $33,014 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colby College earned it the #4 place for english. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Students from in state pay about $69,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,016. English graduates of Colby College earn a median of $46,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $28,727. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Bates College came in at #6 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,590. English graduates carry a median of $12,226 in student loans. English graduates of Bates College earn a median of $40,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,226 median debt. Bates College admits about 13% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.