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2024 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region

108 Colleges in the Southeast Region
12,120 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$28,218 Avg Early-Career Salary
English Language & Literature is about average in terms of popularity for degree programs. That is, it ranks #18 out of the 38 majors across the country that we analyze each year. So, it might take a little more work to find colleges and universities that offer the degree program.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 108 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for english language & literature students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 12,120 degrees in english language & literature to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great English Language & Literature School

Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region The english language & literature program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for English Language & Literature rankings. For our Best Overall English Language & Literature School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

English Language & Literature Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in English Language & Literature
Bachelor's Degrees in English Language & Literature
Master's Degrees in English Language & Literature
Doctor's Degrees in English Language & Literature

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region list, to help you choose the best school for you. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.


 

Best Schools for English Language & Literature in the Southeast Region

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the english language & literature degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

16 Top Southeast Region Schools in English Language & Literature

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
50 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$37,241 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in english language & literature needs to look into Duke University. Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were roughly 50 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature degree recipients from Duke University receive an earnings boost of about $9,023 over the average income of english language & literature majors.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Duke University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
195 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$32,559 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in english language & literature has to look into University of Virginia - Main Campus. University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 195 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the english language & literature program at University of Virginia - Main Campus get $4,341 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from University of Virginia - Main Campus

3
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
75 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
17.3% Growth in Graduates

Vanderbilt University is a good choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were about 75 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Those english language & literature students who get their degree from Vanderbilt University receive $2,972 more than the standard english language & literature graduate.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Vanderbilt University

4
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
88 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$37,979 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat Emory University if you want to pursue a degree in english language & literature. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were about 88 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the english language & literature degree program at Emory University get $9,761 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Emory University

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
165 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
3.0% Growth in Graduates

UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 165 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the english language & literature program state that they receive average early career earnings of $25,909.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
51 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$43,018 Median Starting Salary

Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Winston-Salem. This university ranks 4th out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 51 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the english language & literature degree program at Wake Forest University make $14,800 more than the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Wake Forest University

7
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
209 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
5.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 209 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the english language & literature program earn about $22,915 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from University of Florida

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
377 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$35,583 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 377 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available. Those english language & literature students who get their degree from Florida State University earn $7,365 more than the typical english language & literature grad.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Florida State University

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$27,028 Median Starting Salary

Sewanee is a small private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Sewanee. This university ranks 4th out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 48 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Sewanee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the english language & literature program make an average of $27,028 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Sewanee - The University of the South

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
93 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$25,442 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #62 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were about 93 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the english language & literature program report average early career earnings of $25,442.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Virginia Tech

11
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
65 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$30,436 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public school with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #111 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means William & Mary is a great school overall.

There were about 65 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at William & Mary in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature degree recipients from William & Mary receive an earnings boost of approximately $2,218 above the typical income of english language & literature majors.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from William & Mary

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
133 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$25,347 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 133 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, english language & literature degree recipients generally earn about $25,347 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from University of Georgia

13
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
149 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$35,426 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Clemson, Clemson is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #107 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Clemson is a great university overall.

There were roughly 149 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature degree recipients from Clemson University earn a boost of around $7,208 over the typical income of english language & literature majors.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Clemson University

14
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
66 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$31,491 Median Starting Salary

Auburn is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Auburn. This university ranks 3rd out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were about 66 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Auburn in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the english language & literature degree program at Auburn University earn $3,273 more than the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from Auburn University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
147 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$28,212 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, UA is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Alabama.

There were approximately 147 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at UA in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients usually earn an average of $28,212 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from The University of Alabama

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
420 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
8.1% Growth in Graduates

UCF is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Orlando. This university ranks 7th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 420 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent year we have data available. Those english language & literature students who get their degree from University of Central Florida receive $8,210 more than the standard english language & literature grad.

More information about a degree in english language & literature from University of Central Florida


 

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
17 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
18 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
19 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
20 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
21 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
22 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
23 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
24 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC
25 Florida International University Miami, FL

Best English Language & Literature Colleges by State

Explore the best english language & literature colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 38 1,452
West Virginia 38 288
Mississippi 38 331
South Carolina 38 590
Florida 38 2,373
Virginia 38 1,763
Arkansas 38 396
Alabama 37 626
Kentucky 37 511
Georgia 37 1,173
Tennessee 37 834
Louisiana 37 569

View All Rankings >

English Language & Literature Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
General English Literature 8,884
Writing Studies 3,131
Literature 55
English Literature (Other) 50

View All English Language & Literature Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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