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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 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.
Leading the list is Salem State University, our #1 best value for english in Massachusetts. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $32,844. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #2 place for english. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Williams College, which ranked #3. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $49,340. That is a strong return on a $13,125 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. English graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Framingham State University earned it the #5 place for english. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $37,188. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #6 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $30,408. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Harvard University landed the #7 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. English graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $30,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University landed the #8 spot for english value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #9 for value in english this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. English graduates carry a median of $26,960 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $35,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $41,979. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $24,521. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #12 position for value in english this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. 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. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Boston University placed #13 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,395 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $23,579. Set against $26,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College came in at #14 for value in english this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $38,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Gordon College came in at #15 for value in english this year. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,700. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $36,462. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #16 for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. English graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $22,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College landed the #17 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. English graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $25,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Clark University placed #18 among the best values for english. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Clark University earn a median of $22,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Assumption College earned the #19 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,356. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $34,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Assumption College admits about 83% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. Students from in state pay about $63,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,748. English graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $29,221 early in their careers. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Northeastern University landed the #21 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,639. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $39,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Merrimack College placed #23 among the best values for english. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. English graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. English graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #24 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $43,362. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University earned the #25 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $14,670 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $34,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for english this year:
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.