by our College Data Analytics Team
[General English Language Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their general english language literature graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general english language literature graduates go on to earn the most.
Depaul University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general english language literature graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $63,750 per year.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus typically earn about $64,233 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #3 place for general english language literature. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $65,373 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general english language literature will find them at Miami University Oxford, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of about $53,164 a year early in their careers.
Wayne State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general english language literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Wayne State University typically earn about $61,599 annually.
Northern Illinois University earned the #6 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $64,767 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #7 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $51,403 a year early in their careers.
Northern Michigan University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of about $48,119 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. General English Language Literature graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $58,505 a year early in their careers.
Western Illinois University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Western Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Macomb. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,208.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #11 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Dayton. General English Language Literature graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of about $18,109 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general english language literature graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 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.