<p>This thread has gotten off topic. </p>
<p>Stanford’s English department–like all of its departments–is ranked in the top five. You simply cannot go wrong obtaining an English degree here. Just this year, for instance, Professor Adam Johnson won the Pulitzer Prize. </p>
<p>But having said that, you can also get a stellar English education at many other universities and LACs. </p>
<p>Colby and Middlebury–the LACs you mention–do not have names as powerful as that of Stanford. LACs with the most powerful brand names would be the so-called “Little Three”: Williams, Amherst, and Wesleyan. I’d throw Swarthmore and Pomona in there as well. </p>
<p>If you do find yourself in the extremely enviable position of having to choose between Stanford and Little Threes, Swarthmore, or Pomona, then your decision should come down to fit because you’ll be able to receive an excellent education at any of them. Educated, well-informed employers will regard degrees from these institutions in the same way. However, members of the general public may be more impressed by the Stanford name.</p>