by our College Data Analytics Team
[Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/literature/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying literature schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send literature graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Pace University New York tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying literature schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career literature graduates from Pace University New York make a median of around $58,001 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned it the #2 place for literature. 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.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown one of the highest-paying schools for literature. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. Early-career literature graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown make a median of around $51,146 per year.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the highest-paying schools for literature. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. After graduating, literature degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus typically earn about $51,146 annually.
American University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying literature schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career literature graduates from American University make a median of around $51,266 per year.
The New School came in at #6 for literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career literature graduates from The New School make a median of around $25,618 per year.
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 · 6 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.