by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 9 U.S. colleges awarded 250 degrees and certificates in English Literature (British & Commonwealth). Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best English Literature (British & Commonwealth) Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $24,997 one year after completing, rising to $49,754 after four years.
A degree in English Literature (British & Commonwealth) involves the study of English Literature (British And Commonwealth). A Program That Focuses On The Literatures And Literary Developments Of The English-Speaking Peoples Of The British Isles And The British Commonwealth, From The Origins Of The English Language To The Present. Includes Instruction In Period And Genre Studies, Author Studies, Country And Regional Specializations, Literary Criticism, And The Study Of Folkloric Traditions.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, english literature (british & commonwealth) is a widely-pursued major, with 250 degrees awarded annually. 9 colleges award english literature (british & commonwealth) degrees, an average of 28 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 115.
By level, the 250 awards include 19 associate degrees, 165 bachelor’s degrees, 59 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 75% of english literature (british & commonwealth) degrees and certificates in the latest year (187 of 250). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (129) and Hispanic or Latino (49), and international students earned 17.
College Factual ranks 5 schools in its 2027 Best English Literature (British & Commonwealth) Schools ranking, including 3 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks english literature (british & commonwealth) schools within 3 states. In all, 9 colleges offer english literature (british & commonwealth) programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value English Literature (British & Commonwealth) Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common english literature (british & commonwealth) credential is the bachelor’s degree: 165 of the 250 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to english literature (british & commonwealth) call most for Reading Comprehension, Instructing and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Communications and Media, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an english literature (british & commonwealth) degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 19 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 165 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 59 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to english literature (british & commonwealth), at 58.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 58.4% |
| Master’s degree | 30.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to English Literature (British & Commonwealth), with an average median salary of $88,437; the strongest outlook belongs to English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, at 14.3% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Faculty Member, Seventeenth-Century English Literature Professor, Assistant Professor and English Language Instructor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to english literature (british & commonwealth), at 1,273,615.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
English Literature (British & Commonwealth) graduates earn a median $24,997 one year after completing their program, $49,754 after four years and $49,276 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $24,997 |
| 4 years | $49,754 |
| 5 years | $49,276 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to english literature (british & commonwealth), with a median salary of $88,437.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
English Literature (British & Commonwealth) has 4 similar majors in the English Language & Literature field, which together award 584 degrees a year; the largest are General Literature (469), Children’s and Adolescent Literature (74) and American Literature (United States) (21). Browse all English Language & Literature majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Literature | 469 |
| Children’s and Adolescent Literature | 74 |
| American Literature (United States) | 21 |
| Literature, Other | 20 |
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