2027 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Massachusetts
[English Language & Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for english language & literature students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
Worcester State University tops our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools in Massachusetts. 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,474 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $33,022. Set against $26,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #2 place for english language & literature. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $49,340. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. English Language & 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.
Bay Path College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $29,811 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $59,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $16,616. English Language & Literature graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $30,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Bridgewater State University placed #6 among the best values for english language & literature. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Framingham State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $37,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #8 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & 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. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Westfield State University earned the #9 position for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $46,645. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #10 for value in english language & literature this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,960. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $35,370. Set against $26,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Amherst College came in at #11 for value in english language & 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. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $41,979. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #12 among the best values for english language & literature. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the english language & literature program here. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $48,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #13 among the best values for english language & literature. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $31,661. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #14 among the best values for english language & literature. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,395 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $23,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College came in at #15 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $38,376. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Gordon College earned the #16 position for value in english language & literature 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 Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $36,462. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $22,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #18 among the best values for english language & literature. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English Language & Literature graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $32,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.
Smith College earned the #19 position for value in english language & literature this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Smith College earn a median of $25,023 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University landed the #20 spot for english language & literature value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,467 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $26,619. Early-career english language & literature graduates make about $22,670. Set against $26,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Assumption College came in at #21 for value in english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,356. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $27,000. English Language & Literature graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University came in at #22 for value in english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Typical student debt for english language & literature graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $41,252. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value english language & literature schools. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. In-state tuition and fees average $63,960. English Language & Literature graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. English Language & 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University landed the #24 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english language & literature program here. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Lesley University landed the #25 spot for english language & literature value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the english language & literature program here. English Language & Literature graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $38,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value English Language & Literature Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for english language & literature this year:
More English Language & Literature Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
