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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best English Language & Literature Schools in Massachusetts

26 Colleges in the United States
1,656 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$38,224 Avg Early-Career Salary

English Language & Literature degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools to find the best for english language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for English Language & Literature in Massachusetts

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in English Language & Literature

1
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in english language & literature. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 69 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $42,699 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,832 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Boston College

2
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #2. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 159 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $30,838. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Harvard University

3
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #3. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 37 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Williams College in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Williams College earn around $49,340 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,125. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Williams College

4
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Tufts University earn around $34,689 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,670. Read more about the english language & literature program at Tufts University

5

Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at College Of The Holy Cross, which ranked #5. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $43,362 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full english language & literature program report for College Of The Holy Cross

6
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College landed the #6 spot for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wellesley. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. About 20 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $38,376 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full english language & literature details for Wellesley College

7
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College placed #7 among the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 26 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Amherst College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $41,979 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Amherst College

8

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #8 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 164 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $49,078 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

9
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #9 spot for english language & literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 94 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $23,579 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $26,395 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Boston University

10
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Northampton. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Smith College awarded about 36 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Smith College earn a median of $25,023 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Smith College

11

Brandeis University placed #11 among the best english language & literature schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waltham. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Brandeis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Brandeis University earn around $39,867 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full english language & literature details for Brandeis University

12

Northeastern University placed #12 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,639. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Northeastern University

13
Emerson College crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College earned the #13 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Emerson College graduates 77% of students within six years. About 226 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Emerson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $37,078 in their early career. Emerson College graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Emerson College

14
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #14 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 10 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Endicott College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Endicott College earn around $55,361 in the first couple years of their career. Endicott College graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Endicott College

15
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College came in at #15 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Simmons College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $63,860 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,740. Read more about the english language & literature program at Simmons College

16

Bridgewater State University earned the #16 position for english language & literature this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Bridgewater State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $46,748 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Bridgewater State University

17

University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #17 spot for english language & literature this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 81 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $30,408. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

18
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, MA

Gordon College placed #18 among the best english language & literature schools. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Gordon College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $36,462 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Gordon College

19

Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #19 for english language & literature this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Emmanuel College Massachusetts in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn around $32,451 in the first couple years of their career. Emmanuel College Massachusetts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Emmanuel College Massachusetts

20
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University landed the #20 spot for english language & literature this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Lesley University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 35 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Lesley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Lesley University earn around $38,442 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. Get the full english language & literature details for Lesley University

21

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #21 position for english language & literature this year. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 109 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $35,370 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,960 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston

22
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 12 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Springfield College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $49,880 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,151. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Springfield College

23

Suffolk University earned the #23 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Suffolk University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full english language & literature program report for Suffolk University

24

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #24 for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 21 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $31,661 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

25
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Worcester. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Assumption College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $34,206 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Assumption College

Rest of the Top 36 English Language & Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english language & literature education:

26
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA
27
28
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA
29
30
31
32
33
Bay Path College crest
Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA
34
35
Hampshire College crest
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA
36

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 58 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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