English Language & Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their english language & literature programs.
College Factual analyzed 765 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best english language & literature schools.
Choosing a Great English Language & Literature School
The english language & literature program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best English Language & Literature Schools rankings. For our Best Overall English Language & Literature School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
English Language & Literature Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best English Language & Literature Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in english language & literature. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 62 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $53,813 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Georgetown University
Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at Yale University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 92 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Yale University earn around $41,045 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Yale University
A rank of #3 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 65 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $40,697 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 157 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $49,461. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,728 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for Johns Hopkins University
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 60 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $31,748. Typical student debt for the program is $15,564.
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Colgate University came in at #6 for english language & literature this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 30 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $48,008 in their early career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans.
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Carnegie Mellon University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 49 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $53,254. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Carnegie Mellon University
Bates College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lewiston. About 90% of students finish within six years. Bates College awarded about 29 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Bates College earn around $40,233 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete this degree.
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Lafayette College landed the #9 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. Lafayette College awarded about 26 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $59,513. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for english language & literature this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 136 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,967. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Bowdoin College earned the #11 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 20 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Bowdoin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $49,421. Typical student debt for the program is $20,658.
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Middlebury College earned the #12 position for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Middlebury. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. Middlebury College awarded about 78 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $75,793 in their early career. Middlebury College graduates carry a median of $19,092 in student loans.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Middlebury College
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #13 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 139 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $40,092. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Virginia Main Campus
Dartmouth College landed the #14 spot for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $45,157 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,407.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Dartmouth College
Boston College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. Boston College awarded about 89 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $42,699 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,832 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 english language & literature degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
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Wesleyan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Middletown. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 55 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
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Wake Forest University came in at #18 for english language & literature this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $31,449. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Texas Christian University landed the #19 spot for english language & literature this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 36 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
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Cornell University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cornell University awarded about 41 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $33,270 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $16,275 in student loans.
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Barnard College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Barnard College awarded about 48 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $40,414 in their early career. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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Vanderbilt University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 38 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $34,633. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,420 in student loans.
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Lehigh University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $70,321 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,707 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Lehigh University
Harvard University earned the #24 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 162 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Harvard University earn around $30,838 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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Williams College came in at #25 for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Williams College awarded about 41 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Williams College earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Williams College graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools
These schools also placed among the best for english language & literature this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 765 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
