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2026 Best English Master’s Degree Schools

108 Colleges in the United States
2,441 English Degrees Awarded
$36,203 Avg Early-Career Salary

English programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their english programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1514 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for English in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in english, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in English

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year for english. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 11 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Georgetown University earn around $55,504 in the first couple years of their career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Get the full english details for Georgetown University

2

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 english degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english program make about $31,748 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,564. See the full english program report for Northwestern University

3
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english, ranking #3. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 english students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $41,045. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at Yale University

4

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 28 english degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $40,092 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

5

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 english students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. See the full english program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

6
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College came in at #6 for english this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 english degrees were awarded at Middlebury College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $75,793. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for Middlebury College

7

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #7 among the best english schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 10 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $42,134. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. More information about a degree in english from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

8

Cornell University came in at #8 for english this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 english students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. English graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $33,270 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,275 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at Cornell University

9
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #9 position for english this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 28 english degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. English graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $30,838 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in english from Harvard University

10
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #10 for english this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 12 english degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $33,509. Typical student debt for the program is $23,123. Read more about the english program at Clemson University

11

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for english this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 10 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $28,526. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full english program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

12
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for english this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 english degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,967. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at University Of Pennsylvania

13

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #13 spot for english this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 10 english degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $34,739 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full english program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

14
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 english students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. English graduates of Boston College earn a median of $43,520 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,832 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english from Boston College

15

The College Of New Jersey ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 16 english students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $62,921 in their early career. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full english program report for The College Of New Jersey

16

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #16 for english this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 16 english degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $30,318. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $20,652 in student loans. See the full english program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

17

California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 29 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,917. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $13,749 in student loans. Get the full english details for California State University Long Beach

18

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 english degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. More information about a degree in english from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

19

California State University Sacramento landed the #19 spot for english this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 32 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $32,531 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. See the full english program report for California State University Sacramento

20
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 14 english degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. English graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,649 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english from Florida State University

21

Suny At Binghamton placed #21 among the best english schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 english students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $35,237. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the english program at Suny At Binghamton

22

University Of Rochester landed the #22 spot for english this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. About 11 english degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. English graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $35,053 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for University Of Rochester

23

University Of California Irvine earned the #23 position for english this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 english degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $26,021. Typical student debt for the program is $18,176. More information about a degree in english from University Of California Irvine

24

Chapman University landed the #24 spot for english this year. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Chapman University awarded about 14 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $40,861. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Get the full english details for Chapman University

25

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #25 spot for english this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 english students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $53,234 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,125. Read more about the english program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

Rest of the Top 50 English Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for english:

Other English Degree Levels

Explore the best english schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in English
Associate's Degrees in English
Bachelor's Degrees in English
View All English Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 1514 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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