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. The highest-paying schools turn a general english language literature degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find where general english language literature graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send general english language literature graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in general english language literature, no school beat Elon University this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Elon University earn a median of about $67,741 a year early in their careers.
North Carolina Central University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general english language literature, landing the #2 spot this year. North Carolina Central University is a public school located in the city of Durham. Early-career general english language literature graduates from North Carolina Central University make a median of around $48,054 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Wake Forest University earned it the #3 place for general english language literature. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Wake Forest University make a median of around $66,625 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Duke University one of the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Duke University typically earn about $78,024 annually.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill typically earn about $54,429 annually.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. General English Language Literature graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of about $48,286 a year early in their careers.
East Carolina University came in at #7 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of about $47,764 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #8 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,943.
Meredith College landed the #9 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Meredith College make a median of around $35,619 per year.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of about $44,617 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #11 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of about $49,569 a year early in their careers.
Western Carolina University came in at #12 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of about $35,809 a year early in their careers.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #13 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University typically earn about $32,845 annually.
Appalachian State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,977.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #15 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a public school located in the city of Asheville. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville typically earn about $35,906 annually.
Guilford College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Guilford College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Guilford College make a median of around $32,044 per year.
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 · 16 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.