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2025 Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools

481 Colleges in the United States
27,318 Bachelor's Degrees
$30,420 Avg Early-Career Salary
General English Literature is of the hottest bachelor's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #18 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 481 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 27,318 bachelor's degrees in general english literature during the <nil> academic year.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great General English Literature School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools The english bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for general english literature students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank General English Literature Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
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When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study General English Literature in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in general english literature. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in English

1

It is difficult to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in general english literature. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York.

Bachelor's recipients from the general english literature major at Columbia University in the City of New York get $5,418 above the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Columbia University in the City of New York

2
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
84 Annual Graduates
$41,878 Median Starting Salary
$108,503 Median Student Debt

It's difficult to beat Boston College if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in general english literature. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

General English Literature bachelor's degree recipients from Boston College earn a boost of around $11,458 above the average income of general english literature majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Boston College

3
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Every student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in general english literature needs to look into Georgetown University. Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington.

Bachelor's recipients from the general english literature program at Georgetown University make $21,702 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Georgetown University

4
126 Annual Graduates
$31,258 Median Starting Salary
$20,900 Median Student Debt

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in general english literature. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the english program make around $31,258 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

5
221 Annual Graduates
$27,889 Median Starting Salary
$16,703 Median Student Debt

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the english program make an average of $27,889 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of California - Los Angeles

6
96 Annual Graduates
$37,031 Median Starting Salary
$41,500 Median Student Debt

UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign.

General English Literature bachelor's degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign get an earnings boost of around $6,611 over the typical income of general english literature graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7
113 Annual Graduates
$33,742 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the general english literature major at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get $3,322 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

8
240 Annual Graduates
$27,462 Median Starting Salary
$23,534 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduation, english bachelor's recipients typically make around $27,462 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of California - Berkeley

9

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the english program state that they receive average early career income of $31,748.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Northwestern University

10

UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia.

Those general english literature students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Pennsylvania earn $10,547 more than the average english student.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Pennsylvania

11
128 Annual Graduates
$34,739 Median Starting Salary
$29,663 Median Student Debt

UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Austin.

Bachelor's recipients from the general english literature program at The University of Texas at Austin get $4,319 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from The University of Texas at Austin

12
100 Annual Graduates
$36,561 Median Starting Salary
$31,288 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population.

Those general english literature students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Maryland - College Park make $6,141 more than the standard english student.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Maryland - College Park

13

Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame.

Those general english literature students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Notre Dame earn $9,925 more than the typical english graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Notre Dame

14
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Providence.

Bachelor's recipients from the general english literature degree program at Brown University make $20,017 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Brown University

15

Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the english program report average early career earnings of $23,579.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Boston University

16
97 Annual Graduates
$27,335 Median Starting Salary
$27,705 Median Student Debt

UCONN is a fairly large public university located in the town of Storrs.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the english program state that they receive average early career wages of $27,335.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Connecticut

17
150 Annual Graduates
$40,092 Median Starting Salary

University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Charlottesville.

Bachelor's recipients from the general english literature degree program at University of Virginia - Main Campus earn $9,672 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Virginia - Main Campus

18
295 Annual Graduates
$29,534 Median Starting Salary
$18,979 Median Student Debt

Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the english program make about $29,534 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Florida State University

19
64 Annual Graduates
$28,927 Median Starting Salary
$36,200 Median Student Debt

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the city of East Lansing.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the english program report average early career income of $28,927.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Michigan State University

20

Villanova is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Villanova.

Those general english literature students who get their bachelor's degree from Villanova University make $7,223 more than the standard english graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Villanova University

21
120 Annual Graduates
$28,526 Median Starting Salary

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the english program earn around $28,526 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Wisconsin - Madison

22

Located in the midsize city of Worcester, Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Those general english literature students who get their bachelor's degree from College of the Holy Cross receive $12,942 more than the average english grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from College of the Holy Cross

23
111 Annual Graduates
$26,652 Median Starting Salary
$49,260 Median Student Debt

Fordham U is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Bronx.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the english program earn an average of $26,652 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from Fordham University

24
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
165 Annual Graduates
$26,917 Median Starting Salary
$24,245 Median Student Debt

UF is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the english program earn about $26,917 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of Florida

25
144 Annual Graduates
$26,021 Median Starting Salary
$22,009 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the english program earn around $26,021 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in general english literature from University of California - Irvine

Rest of the Top 50 Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools

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29
30
31
32

33

34
35
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
36
37
38
39
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
40
41

42

43
44
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
45
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
46
47
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
48
49
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
50

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 481 different United States general english literature schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
51Barnard CollegeNew York, NY
52Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
53California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
54Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury, VT
55Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA
56Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA
57Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL
58University of South Florida - Main CampusTampa, FL
59University of GeorgiaAthens, GA
60University of ArizonaTucson, AZ
61Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY
62Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA
63Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA
64University of KansasLawrence, KS
65University at AlbanyAlbany, NY
66George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
67University of RochesterRochester, NY
68University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO
69University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
70University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL
71George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
72Arizona State University - TempeTempe, AZ
73Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX
74Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT
75Trinity CollegeHartford, CT
76University of California - RiversideRiverside, CA
77University of North TexasDenton, TX
78Purdue University - Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN
79William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA
80Lafayette CollegeEaston, PA
81Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA
82Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA
83Clemson UniversityClemson, SC
84The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
85Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX
86Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX
87California Polytechnic State University - San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA
88University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
89Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA
90Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL
91Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO
92University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
93Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA
94The College of New JerseyEwing, NJ
95Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
96San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for General English Literature students that almost earned our Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
97University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY
98Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC
99University of OregonEugene, OR
100San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
101The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX
102Providence CollegeProvidence, RI
103University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA
104Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
105Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL
106Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI
107Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI
108The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
109Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA
110University of HoustonHouston, TX
111University of Nebraska - LincolnLincoln, NE
112University of KentuckyLexington, KY
113University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI
114University of California - San DiegoLa Jolla, CA
115University of DaytonDayton, OH
116Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA
117James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA
118University of Wisconsin - Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI
119Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA
120Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ
121Washington State UniversityPullman, WA
122Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
123Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA
124University of North Carolina at WilmingtonWilmington, NC
125Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch, NJ
126University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond, VA
127University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
128University of DenverDenver, CO
129St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN
130Wheaton College IllinoisWheaton, IL
131North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
132Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN
133University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI
134Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ
135Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS
136Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg, PA
137Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY
138Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA
139Kenyon CollegeGambier, OH
140California State University - NorthridgeNorthridge, CA
141Saint Joseph’s UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
142University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
143University of Nevada - RenoReno, NV
144Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
145Portland State UniversityPortland, OR
146Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
147University of Massachusetts - LowellLowell, MA
148California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
149Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD
150University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
151University of DallasIrving, TX
152California State University - FullertonFullerton, CA
153Indiana University - Purdue University - IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN
154Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
155Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY
156Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA
157Kent State University at KentKent, OH
158DePaul UniversityChicago, IL
159Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA
160University of New Mexico - Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM

General English Literature by Region

View the Best General English Literature Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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One of 9 majors within the English Language & Literature area of study, General English Literature has other similar majors worth exploring.

English Focus Areas

MajorAnnual Graduates
English27,318

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Writing Studies6,030
English Literature (Other)554
Literature486

Notes and References

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