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2027 Best English Language & Literature Schools in Pennsylvania

43 Colleges in the United States
1,858 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$37,696 Avg Early-Career Salary

English Language & Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english language & literature students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for English Language & Literature in Pennsylvania

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in English Language & Literature

1

Our analysis ranked Carnegie Mellon University the best school in the country for a degree in english language & literature. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $53,254 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Carnegie Mellon University

2
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

A rank of #2 makes Lafayette College one of the top schools for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 26 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Lafayette College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $59,513 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. Read more about the english language & literature program at Lafayette College

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 136 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $40,967 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Pennsylvania

4
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 25 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent 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. Read more about the english language & literature program at Lehigh University

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Drexel University awarded about 33 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Drexel University

6
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College landed the #6 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Swarthmore College awarded about 13 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Swarthmore College earn around $66,971 in the first couple years of their career. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Swarthmore College

7
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Haverford College in the most recent data year. Get the full english language & literature details for Haverford College

8

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 147 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full english language & literature details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #9 spot for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 353 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $36,055 early in their careers. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $26,733 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

10
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #10 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Villanova University awarded about 33 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Villanova University earn around $45,417 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,899. Read more about the english language & literature program at Villanova University

11
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College earned the #11 position for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Gettysburg. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gettysburg College awarded about 23 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $40,601. Gettysburg College graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Gettysburg College

12
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College came in at #12 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 24 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Dickinson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $25,510 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full english language & literature details for Dickinson College

13
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University landed the #13 spot for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Saint Josephs University graduates 79% of students within six years. Saint Josephs University awarded about 31 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $31,266 in their early career. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Saint Josephs University

14

Franklin And Marshall College earned the #14 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Franklin And Marshall College awarded about 14 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $33,476. Students borrow a median of $23,083 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Franklin And Marshall College

15
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University earned the #15 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Bucknell University awarded about 29 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Bucknell University earn around $34,043 in the first couple years of their career. Bucknell University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Bucknell University

16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,848 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

17
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College placed #17 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bryn Mawr College awarded about 27 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Bryn Mawr College earn around $35,668 in the first couple years of their career. Bryn Mawr College graduates carry a median of $23,069 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Bryn Mawr College

18
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 33 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $54,749 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,098. Get the full english language & literature details for Duquesne University

19
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College earned the #19 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Grove City, Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 24 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Grove City College in the most recent year. Get the full english language & literature details for Grove City College

20
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA

Ursinus College came in at #20 for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Ursinus College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $24,373 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Ursinus College

21
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #21 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 83 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $25,559. Temple University graduates carry a median of $25,949 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Temple University

22

Lebanon Valley College placed #22 among the best english language & literature schools. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lebanon Valley College awarded about 13 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $40,151. Lebanon Valley College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for Lebanon Valley College

23

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #23 for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $33,185 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,590 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown

24
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University came in at #24 for english language & literature this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Arcadia University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Arcadia University earn around $27,390 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Arcadia University

25
Lycoming College crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA

Lycoming College landed the #25 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Lycoming College graduates 60% of students within six years. About 11 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Lycoming College in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Lycoming College earn around $34,280 in the first couple years of their career. Lycoming College graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Lycoming College

Rest of the Top 43 English Language & Literature Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature ranking:

26
27
28
29
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
30
31
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA
32
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
33
34
35
36
Chatham University crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA

View All English Language & Literature Rankings >

Notes and References

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 · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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