2027 Best Value General English Literature Schools in Massachusetts

[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general english literature education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general english literature students.
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2027 Best Value General English Literature Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general english literature, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General English Literature Schools
Salem State University tops our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools in Massachusetts. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $27,000. General English Literature graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $32,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,474. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $33,022. That is a strong return on a $26,474 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Williams College one of the best values for general english literature. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Williams College earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Framingham State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $37,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #6 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $30,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Harvard University earned the #7 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $30,838 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Westfield State University earned the #8 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #9 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,960 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $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 general english literature this year. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,398. General English Literature graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $41,979 early in their careers. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #11 for value in general english literature this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $24,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #12 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $31,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,395. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $23,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College landed the #14 spot for general english literature value this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $12,000. General English Literature graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $38,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon College placed #15 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $36,462. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #16 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $22,680 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $25,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Clark University came in at #18 for value in general english literature this year. 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. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,619. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $22,670. Set against $26,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Assumption College landed the #19 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,356. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,960. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature 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. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northeastern University came in at #21 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $49,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University placed #22 among the best values for general english literature. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $39,867. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #23 spot for general english literature value this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
College Of The Holy Cross came in at #24 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $43,362 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 18%.
Tufts University placed #25 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $14,670. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $34,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value General English Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general english literature:
More General English Literature Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.