College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region

154 Colleges in the United States
10,729 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$35,446 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 154 schools to find the best for english language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for English Language & Literature in the Southeast Region

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

College Of William And Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in english language & literature. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 english language & literature degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $40,697. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at College Of William And Mary

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 139 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $40,092 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

A rank of #3 makes Wake Forest University one of the top schools for english language & literature. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full english language & literature details for Wake Forest University

4
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #4 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for english language & literature. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 38 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $34,633 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,420 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Vanderbilt University

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 85 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $39,155. Typical student debt for the program is $21,625. See the full english language & literature program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College landed the #6 spot for english language & literature this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $34,707 in their early career. Davidson College graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Davidson College

7

Virginia Military Institute earned the #7 position for english language & literature this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. About 76% of students finish within six years. Virginia Military Institute awarded about 13 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $47,915. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Virginia Military Institute

8
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Richmond awarded about 32 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $38,333 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,980 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Richmond

9

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #9 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 128 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $40,247 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $14,794 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

10

Washington And Lee University placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lexington. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 14 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Washington And Lee University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Washington And Lee University earn around $76,810 in the first couple years of their career. Washington And Lee University graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Washington And Lee University

11

Elon University earned the #11 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $36,302 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Elon University

12
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University earned the #12 position for english language & literature this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 129 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $43,115. Typical student debt for the program is $23,245. See the full english language & literature program report for Clemson University

13

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. About 48 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $30,318 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,652 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

14

Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #14 spot for english language & literature this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Sewanee The University Of The South

15
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. Emory University awarded about 54 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $30,180 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the english language & literature program at Emory University

16
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University earned the #16 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Samford University awarded about 10 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039. Read more about the english language & literature program at Samford University

17
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #17 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 93 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $26,049 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,706. Read more about the english language & literature program at James Madison University

18
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #18 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 309 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $43,649 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Florida State University

19
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 162 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $47,082. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $16,950 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Florida

20
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College placed #20 among the best english language & literature schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Rhodes College awarded about 22 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $40,807 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,545. Get the full english language & literature details for Rhodes College

21
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 14 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full english language & literature program report for Lipscomb University

22

George Mason University earned the #22 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 153 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $38,191 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,221. More information about a degree in english language & literature from George Mason University

23

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #23 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 141 english language & literature degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $47,562. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,680 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

24
Wofford College crest
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College earned the #24 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Wofford College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 15 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Wofford College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Wofford College earn a median of $34,478 early in their careers. Wofford College graduates carry a median of $25,941 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Wofford College

25
Spelman College crest
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College came in at #25 for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Spelman College graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Spelman College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $31,129 in their early career. Spelman College graduates carry a median of $25,564 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Spelman College

Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english language & literature education:

26
27
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC
28
29
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
30
31
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
32
33
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC
34
35
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA
45
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for english language & literature:

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 · 154 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options