Explore Jobs

Find Specific Jobs

Explore Careers

Explore Professions

Best Companies

Explore Companies

The Best Private Colleges In Each State for English Majors

By David Luther
Apr. 11, 2017
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

Find a Job You Really Want In

The Best Private Colleges in Each State for English Majors in 2026

Map-of-private

Pursuing a degree in English offers numerous advantages, including intellectual growth, diverse career opportunities, and skills in crafting persuasive arguments. These qualities not only prepare you for various career paths but also enhance your critical thinking and communication skills, which are essential in today’s job market.

For college freshmen, selecting a program that effectively prepares them for employment is crucial. A recent survey indicated that a significant percentage of incoming students prioritize the career success of a school’s alumni. This trend has led many students to favor private institutions, which often provide smaller class sizes and better access to resources, making the higher tuition fees seem worthwhile.

But which of the 803 private colleges with English departments in the U.S. offers the best return on investment? We’ve conducted an analysis to determine the top options available.

Below are the ten most distinguished private colleges for English majors:

  1. Williams College – Massachusetts
  2. Columbia University – New York
  3. Yale University – Connecticut
  4. Middlebury College – Vermont
  5. Brigham Young University – Utah
  6. Kenyon College – Ohio
  7. Hawaii Pacific University – Hawaii
  8. Vanderbilt University – Tennessee
  9. Davidson University – North Carolina
  10. Tulane University – Louisiana

How We Determined the Best Schools for English in Each State

To identify the English departments that provide the best career prospects, we analyzed data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the College Scorecard. Our evaluation criteria included:

  • Career Outcomes
    • Mean Earnings After 6 Years
    • Mean Earnings After 10 Years
    • Employment Rate After 10 Years
  • English Emphasis
    • Percentage of Graduating Class that are English Majors
  • School Performance
    • Admissions Rate
    • Graduation Rate
    • Average Cost of Attendance
    • Average Amount of Debt

After gathering this data, we ranked the 803 private institutions with English departments based on each criterion, assigning a rank of 1 to the best-performing school.

We excluded states with insufficient data, including New Mexico, Alaska, Wyoming, and Nevada.

Next, we averaged the ranks for each college to create the “English Quality Index.” The school with the highest score, Williams College, earned the title of the best college for English in Massachusetts and overall.

1. Massachusetts

  • College: Williams College
  • City: Williamstown, MA
  • Annual Cost: $59,412
  • Percent English: 10%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $83,200
  • Median Debt: $11,248

Founded by Ephraim Williams, this college makes up for its founder’s lack of creativity with an outstanding English program. Despite being one of the pricier options, it boasts a commitment to affordability, resulting in lower student debt.

2. Hawaii

  • College: Hawaii Pacific University
  • City: Honolulu, HI
  • Annual Cost: $29,762
  • Percent English: 2%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $50,100
  • Median Debt: $16,250

With limited competition among private English departments in Hawaii, this university remains a top choice, often costing less than living expenses in Honolulu.

3. Vermont

  • College: Middlebury College
  • City: Middlebury, VT
  • Annual Cost: $59,200
  • Percent English: 7%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $81,110
  • Median Debt: $17,777

Middlebury College boasts a fantastic English program, perfect for students keen on immersing themselves in literature in a serene setting.

4. Utah

  • College: Brigham Young University – Provo
  • City: Provo, UT
  • Annual Cost: $17,174
  • Percent English: 3%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $66,700
  • Median Debt: $9,260

This institution offers affordability and an impressive range of extracurricular activities, making it a strong contender for English majors.

5. Tennessee

  • College: Vanderbilt University
  • City: Nashville, TN
  • Annual Cost: $59,890
  • Percent English: 4.5%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $77,000
  • Median Debt: $13,000

Vanderbilt prides itself on a low student-faculty ratio, enhancing the educational experience for its students.

6. New York

  • College: Columbia University in the City of New York
  • City: New York, NY
  • Annual Cost: $61,540
  • Percent English: 5.5%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $99,600
  • Median Debt: $17,125

Columbia boasts the highest median earnings among the schools on this list, making it a prime choice for ambitious English majors.

7. Louisiana

  • College: Tulane University of Louisiana
  • City: New Orleans, LA
  • Annual Cost: $58,904
  • Percent English: 4%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $67,300
  • Median Debt: $20,001

Tulane offers a unique cultural experience, making it an attractive choice for students pursuing a liberal arts education.

8. Ohio

  • College: Kenyon College
  • City: Gambier, OH
  • Annual Cost: $57,910
  • Percent English: 10.5%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $49,200
  • Median Debt: $16,491

Kenyon is recognized for its strong writing focus and has the highest percentage of English majors among private colleges in the U.S.

9. North Carolina

  • College: Davidson College
  • City: Davidson, NC
  • Annual Cost: $54,930
  • Percent English: 8%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $73,000
  • Median Debt: $15,750

Davidson balances a liberal arts education with a conservative atmosphere, providing a unique environment for English majors.

10. Connecticut

  • College: Yale University
  • City: New Haven, CT
  • Annual Cost: $59,320
  • Percent English: 7%
  • Median Earnings After 10 Years: $95,300
  • Median Debt: $12,000

Yale is renowned for its rigorous academic standards and is an excellent choice for those aiming for a career in academia.

Detailed List of the Best Private Schools for English Majors in Each State

Rank School Median Earnings After 10 Years Percentage Of English Students Annual Cost Average Debt
1 Williams College — MA 83,200 10.33% 59,412 11,248
2 Columbia — NY 99,600 5.48% 61,540 17,125
3 Yale — CT 95,300 6.7% 59,320 12,000
4 University of Chicago — IL 95,800 4.77% 62,425 17,610
5 Davidson College — NC 73,000 7.86% 54,930 15,750
6 Brown — RI 81,400 4.45% 58,140 15,164
7 Dartmouth — NH 99,700 4.48% 61,398 10,695
8 Swarthmore — PA 67,900 3.93% 58,481 17,718
9 California Institute of Technology — CA 95,000 0.0% 56,382 14,583
10 Brigham Young University — UT 66,700 2.9% 17,174 9,260
11 Vanderbilt University — TN 77,000 4.45% 59,890 13,000
12 Carleton College — MN 56,900 4.72% 58,275 16,644
13 Middlebury — VT 81,100 6.82% 59,200 17,777
14 Johns Hopkins University — MD 84,700 4.22% 58,980 17,500
15 Colby College — ME 64,600 7.97% 57,300 18,500
16 University of Richmond — VA 74,800 3.1% 55,980 18,370
17 Tulane — LA 67,300 4.15% 58,904 20,001
18 Trinity University — TX 67,100 4.45% 46,274 18,500
19 Emory University — GA 73,800 2.62% 58,180 19,000
20 Washington University — MO 80,700 2.39% 62,594 19,500
21 Princeton — NJ 113,000 3.95% 55,430 7,500
22 Grinnell College — IA 53,200 6.52% 53,318 10,022
23 John Brown University — AR 56,400 1.54% 33,326 17,900
24 University of Miami — FL 64,000 1.33% 57,700 18,750
25 Whitman College — WA 51,900 7.73% 54,865 14,600
26 CCSJ 43,300 1.4% 19,530 15,500
27 Hawaii Pacific University — HI 50,100 1.63% 29,762 16,250
28 Oklahoma Wesleyan University — OK 49,800 0.32% 32,241 16,664
29 Reed College — OR 44,600 6.85% 57,701 15,500
30 Kenyon College — OH 49,200 10.47% 57,910 16,491
31 Colorado College — CO 47,300 7.77% 54,200 17,255
32 Wofford College — SC 56,600 6.57% 47,856 19,500
33 Samford University — AL 57,900 2.84% 38,835 20,000
34 Sterling College — KS 35,200 4.38% 30,722 14,500
35 Wheeling Jesuit — WV 48,000 4.41% 34,213 16,625
36 Brescia University — KY 40,500 1.11% 27,219 12,146
37 Millsaps College — MS 51,500 3.66% 44,435 21,750
38 Maranatha Baptist University — WI 35,500 3.95% 23,879 12,000
39 Goldey-Beacom College — DE 48,700 1.63% 32,255 16,000
40 Siena Heights University — MI 40,700 1.55% 31,980 15,328
41 Rocky Mountain College — MT 47,000 2.97% 32,987 16,625
42 Union College — NE 42,200 1.48% 30,383 16,937
43 Brigham Young University — ID 45,600 3.42% 10,438 7,725
44 University of Jamestown — ND 43,400 0.58% 27,712 17,000
45 Augustana College — SD 47,700 4.43% 36,828 25,249
46 Prescott College — AZ 35,800 3.27% 40,206 19,874

Choosing the right college for an English major is a critical decision that can shape your future career. By considering factors such as cost, student debt, and career outcomes, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your goals. Explore the options listed above to find the best fit for your educational journey in 2026.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

David Luther

David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.

Responsive Image

Related posts