2026 Best English Language & Literature Schools in California

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for english language & literature. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 97 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $26,636 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,053. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Southern California

2

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 90 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full english language & literature details for San Jose State University

3

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $79,380 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Santa Clara University

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 266 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $24,273 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,128 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 259 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $41,327. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,016 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of California Berkeley

6

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 58 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $34,718 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $23,956 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

7

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College landed the #7 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 22 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Scripps College in the most recent year. Read more about the english language & literature program at Scripps College

8

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College landed the #8 spot for english language & literature this year. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 11 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Pomona College earn around $75,954 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the english language & literature program at Pomona College

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 153 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $25,477 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of California Davis

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 182 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $26,021 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,176. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of California Irvine

11

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #11 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 132 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $24,099 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,550 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of California Santa Barbara

12

Dominican University Of California
San Rafael, CA

Dominican University Of California earned the #12 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 16 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Dominican University Of California in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Dominican University Of California earn a median of $70,752 early in their careers. Dominican University Of California graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Dominican University Of California

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 302 english language & literature degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $25,933 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,331 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for California State University Long Beach

14

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #14 for english language & literature this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 68 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $31,282 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,239. Get the full english language & literature details for Sonoma State University

15

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #15 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 164 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $32,531 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at California State University Sacramento

16

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University landed the #16 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Chapman University earn around $32,742 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Chapman University

17

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Stanford University earn around $30,544 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Get the full english language & literature details for Stanford University

18

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #18 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 166 english language & literature degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $39,161. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from San Diego State University

19

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #19 for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 159 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $29,133 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,812 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for California State University Fullerton

20

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 15 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at California Lutheran University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $53,271. Students borrow a median of $24,890 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for California Lutheran University

21

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College earned the #21 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 32 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from San Diego Mesa College

22

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 16 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Vanguard University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Vanguard University Of Southern California

23

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #23 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 194 english language & literature degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $32,963 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,452. Get the full english language & literature details for San Francisco State University

24

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #24 for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $22,557 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,041 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of California San Diego

25

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #25 among the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $50,508 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of San Francisco