by our College Data Analytics Team
[General English Language Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general english language literature schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general english language literature graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Santa Clara University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools in the United States. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Santa Clara University make a median of around $82,650 per year.
Lafayette College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general english language literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,426.
Strong graduate earnings at Virginia Military Institute earned it the #3 place for general english language literature. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,619.
Strong graduate earnings at Seattle University earned it the #4 place for general english language literature. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. General English Language Literature graduates of Seattle University earn a median of about $65,112 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at California State University Bakersfield earned it the #5 place for general english language literature. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from California State University Bakersfield typically earn about $64,875 annually.
Dartmouth College landed the #6 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Dartmouth College make a median of around $90,619 per year.
Georgetown University came in at #7 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,299.
Yeshiva University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Yeshiva University typically earn about $62,212 annually.
Lehigh University came in at #9 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Lehigh University make a median of around $62,083 per year.
Howard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Howard University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,946.
Catholic University Of America ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Catholic University Of America make a median of around $61,898 per year.
University Of Portland ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,057.
Rice University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Rice University make a median of around $60,641 per year.
Depauw University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Depauw University earn a median of about $59,324 a year early in their careers.
Sacred Heart University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Sacred Heart University typically earn about $59,202 annually.
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #16 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,948.
University Of Southern California placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $57,930 annually.
Southern Methodist University earned the #18 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Southern Methodist University typically earn about $73,804 annually.
San Jose State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,604.
Union College New York ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Union College New York earn a median of about $57,259 a year early in their careers.
Rhodes College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Rhodes College make a median of around $57,062 per year.
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Saint Marys College Of California make a median of around $57,008 per year.
University Of The Pacific ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from University Of The Pacific make a median of around $56,973 per year.
Drake University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Drake University make a median of around $56,288 per year.
College Of Saint Benedict placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,266.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid general english language literature ranking:
These schools also placed among the highest-paying for general english language literature graduates this year:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #76 | Bates College | Lewiston, ME | $60,044 | Full Report |
| #77 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | $70,443 | Full Report |
| #78 | North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC | $48,054 | Full Report |
| #79 | Morgan State University | Baltimore, MD | $48,009 | Full Report |
| #80 | Allegheny College | Meadville, PA | $47,913 | Full Report |
| #81 | National University | San Diego, CA | $47,654 | Full Report |
| #82 | Gettysburg College | Gettysburg, PA | $58,130 | Full Report |
| #83 | Providence College | Providence, RI | $57,791 | Full Report |
| #84 | Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA | $57,102 | Full Report |
| #85 | Lawrence University | Appleton, WI | $47,453 | Full Report |
| #86 | Bridgewater College | Bridgewater, VA | $47,436 | Full Report |
| #87 | Saint Bonaventure University | Saint Bonaventure, NY | $47,280 | Full Report |
| #88 | North Dakota State University Main Campus | Fargo, ND | $47,226 | Full Report |
| #89 | Wabash College | Crawfordsville, IN | $47,056 | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for general english language literature graduate pay:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #90 | Saint Anselm College | Manchester, NH | $63,982 | Full Report |
| #91 | Point Park University | Pittsburgh, PA | $46,934 | Full Report |
| #92 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $65,369 | Full Report |
| #93 | College Of William And Mary | Williamsburg, VA | $55,995 | Full Report |
| #94 | Canisius College | Buffalo, NY | $46,772 | Full Report |
| #95 | Westminster College Pa | New Wilmington, PA | $46,666 | Full Report |
| #96 | Lesley University | Cambridge, MA | $58,722 | Full Report |
| #97 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $62,306 | Full Report |
| #98 | California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | $64,041 | Full Report |
| #99 | University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign | Champaign, IL | $60,391 | Full Report |
| #100 | University Of Montevallo | Montevallo, AL | $46,333 | Full Report |
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid General English Language Literature rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general english language literature graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
