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2027 Best Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools

12 Colleges in the United States
397 Literature Degrees Awarded
$34,576 Avg Early-Career Salary

Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for literature students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Literature in the United States

These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in literature, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Literature

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked New York University the best school in the country for a degree in literature. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 78 literature degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Read more about the literature program at New York University

2

Students looking for a strong literature program will find one at Sewanee The University Of The South, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 27 literature degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. See the full literature program report for Sewanee The University Of The South

3

Pace University New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in literature, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 40 literature degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $25,758. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full literature details for Pace University New York

4

Miami University Oxford is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in literature, ranking #4. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 literature students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, literature degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. See the full literature program report for Miami University Oxford

5
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

A rank of #5 makes American University one of the top schools for literature. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 26 literature degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Literature graduates of American University earn a median of $23,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,105 to complete this degree. See the full literature program report for American University

6

Boise State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best literature schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 literature students who graduated with this degree at Boise State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the literature program make about $49,059 in their early career. Boise State University graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans. Read more about the literature program at Boise State University

7

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the literature program make about $22,704 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,093 in student loans. More information about a degree in literature from University Of California Los Angeles

8

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #8 among the best literature schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 76 literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the literature program make about $23,868 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in literature from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

9
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #9 spot for literature this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 literature students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their literature degree from The New School earn around $25,618 in the first couple years of their career. The New School graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. See the full literature program report for The New School

10
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College landed the #10 spot for literature this year. Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grove City. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Grove City College awarded about 24 literature degrees in the most recent data year. See the full literature program report for Grove City College

11
Bennington College crest
Bennington College
Bennington, VT

Bennington College landed the #11 spot for literature this year. Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 literature students who graduated with this degree at Bennington College in the most recent data year. Literature graduates of Bennington College earn a median of $18,152 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full literature details for Bennington College

12
Ave Maria University crest
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL

Ave Maria University placed #12 among the best literature schools. Located in the rural area of Ave Maria, Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 11 literature degrees were awarded at Ave Maria University in the most recent year. Students who receive their literature degree from Ave Maria University earn around $40,866 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,801 to complete this degree. Get the full literature details for Ave Maria University

Other Literature Degree Levels

Explore the best literature schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Literature
Master's Degrees in Literature

View All Literature Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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