by our College Data Analytics Team
[Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/literature/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a literature degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find where literature graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose literature graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Pace University New York the top school for literature graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Literature graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of about $58,001 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying literature schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public institution. Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earn a median of about $51,146 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned it the #3 place for literature. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of about $51,146 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #4 place for literature. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Early-career literature graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus make a median of around $51,146 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at American University earned it the #5 place for literature. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Literature graduates of American University earn a median of about $51,266 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for literature. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $36,428 a year early in their careers.
The New School earned the #7 position for literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,618.
Bennington College landed the #8 spot for literature salaries this year. Bennington College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bennington. Students who complete the literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $18,152.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Literature rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries literature graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 8 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.