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. 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 18 schools to find where general english language literature graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general english language literature graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Virginia Military Institute the top school for general english language literature graduate earnings in Virginia. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute typically earn about $73,619 annually.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Early-career general english language literature graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $65,660 per year.
Bridgewater College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater 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 $47,436.
Students chasing top earnings in general english language literature will find them at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #4. College Of William And Mary is a public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,995.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of about $56,347 a year early in their careers.
University Of Richmond earned the #6 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond 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 $55,411.
Longwood University landed the #7 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a public institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,248.
Old Dominion University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Old Dominion University make a median of around $51,643 per year.
George Mason University came in at #9 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Early-career general english language literature graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $51,160 per year.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. University Of Mary Washington is a public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Early-career general english language literature graduates from University Of Mary Washington make a median of around $53,242 per year.
Christopher Newport University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Christopher Newport University make a median of around $53,811 per year.
Liberty University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. General English Language Literature graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $40,080 a year early in their careers.
James Madison University came in at #13 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career general english language literature graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $49,084 per year.
Randolph Macon College came in at #14 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $47,262 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $46,439 a year early in their careers.
Radford University landed the #16 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,121.
Hollins University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Hollins University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,412.
Regent University came in at #18 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Regent University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Regent University typically earn about $23,986 annually.
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 · 18 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.