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 56 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.
Yeshiva University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general english language literature graduates in New York. Set 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Union College New York earned it the #2 place for general english language literature. Located in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Union College New York typically earn about $57,259 annually.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College typically earn about $55,878 annually.
New York University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of New York University earn a median of about $71,936 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Mount Saint Mary College earned it the #5 place for general english language literature. Located in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Mount Saint Mary College make a median of around $53,329 per year.
Colgate University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University 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 $60,334.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $74,155 annually.
Barnard College landed the #8 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the city of New York, Barnard 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 $66,870.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Suny College At Potsdam is a public school located in the town of Potsdam. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,719.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #10 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Cuny Graduate School And University Center make a median of around $77,598 per year.
Adelphi University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University 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 $48,524.
Cornell University landed the #12 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Cornell University make a median of around $70,443 per year.
Saint Bonaventure University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Saint Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Bonaventure. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Saint Bonaventure University typically earn about $47,280 annually.
Canisius College earned the #14 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Canisius College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Canisius College make a median of around $46,772 per year.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Suny At Binghamton is a public school located in the suburb of Vestal. General English Language Literature graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of about $60,034 a year early in their careers.
Hartwick College landed the #16 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Hartwick College is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Hartwick College earn a median of about $42,422 a year early in their careers.
Hofstra University earned the #17 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University 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 $52,201.
Syracuse University earned the #18 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Syracuse University make a median of around $64,086 per year.
Fordham University earned the #19 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Fordham University make a median of around $62,603 per year.
University Of Rochester placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of about $49,046 a year early in their careers.
Siena College came in at #21 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Siena College make a median of around $53,859 per year.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,181.
Suny College At Oswego placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a public institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,699.
Nazareth College placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth 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 $45,391.
Dominican College Of Blauvelt earned the #25 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt 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 $58,937.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning general english language literature graduates:
The ranking above is published 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 · 56 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.