English Language & Literature degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1675 schools to find the best for english language & literature students.
Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in english language & literature. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $55,504. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
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Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 35 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Northwestern University earn around $31,748 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,564.
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Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 14 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Yale University earn around $41,045 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $40,092 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
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Harvard University placed #6 among the best english language & literature schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 104 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $30,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
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Middlebury College placed #7 among the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Middlebury. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $75,793 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,092 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #8 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 185 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $26,733 in student loans.
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Johns Hopkins University earned the #9 position for english language & literature this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 108 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $55,398. Students borrow a median of $13,728 to complete this degree.
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University Of Denver came in at #10 for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $30,246 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,678 to complete this degree.
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Cornell University landed the #11 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 21 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $33,270. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $16,275 in student loans.
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University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #12 among the best english language & literature schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 44 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $51,945 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete this degree.
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Boston University landed the #13 spot for english language & literature this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston University awarded about 48 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $23,579. Typical student debt for the program is $26,395.
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San Jose State University placed #14 among the best english language & literature schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 19 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Carnegie Mellon University came in at #15 for english language & literature this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 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. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
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Drexel University came in at #16 for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Drexel University awarded about 38 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Drexel University earn around $67,556 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #17 position for english language & literature this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 62 english language & literature degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $60,263 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,330 in student loans.
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Clemson University landed the #18 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Clemson University earn around $43,444 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,245.
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University Of California Irvine placed #19 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 32 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent 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. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $18,176 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 16 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $28,526 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for english language & literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,967. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #22 spot for english language & literature this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 29 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,280 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,112.
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Butler University came in at #23 for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 14 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $68,222 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351.
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Boston College placed #24 among the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 12 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $43,520 in their early career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,832 in student loans.
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New York University placed #25 among the best english language & literature schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 117 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from New York University generally make around $46,268. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625.
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Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english language & literature education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1675 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).
