by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 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.
Our analysis ranked Williams College the best value for a degree in english in Massachusetts. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $13,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $30,838. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #3 place for english. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Typical student debt for english graduates is $15,398. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $41,979. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #4 makes Worcester State University one of the best values for english. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,474. English graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $33,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,474 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for english. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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Fitchburg State University placed #6 among the best values for english. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $39,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Framingham State University earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $37,188. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #8 position for value in english this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $26,960 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $35,370. That is a strong return on a $26,960 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #9 among the best values for english. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. English graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $30,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #11 among the best values for english. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University landed the #12 spot for english value this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $46,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College earned the #13 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Typical student debt for english graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $38,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. English graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $31,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts placed #15 among the best values for english. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public school located in the town of North Adams. Students from in state pay about $12,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earn a median of $29,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts admits about 90% of applicants.
Gordon College landed the #16 spot for english value this year. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,700. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $36,462. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
Smith College earned the #17 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $25,023. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Boston University earned the #18 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,395 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $23,579. That is a strong return on a $26,395 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University earned the #19 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,619. Early-career english 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 placed #20 among the best values for english. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College landed the #21 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. English graduates carry a median of $27,151 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $49,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. 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 english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $22,680. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts placed #23 among the best values for english. 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 graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts generally make around $29,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northeastern University came in at #24 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $39,867. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english value ranking:
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.