2026 Best English Language & Literature Schools in Virginia
English Language & Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their english language & literature programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english language & literature students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for English Language & Literature in Virginia
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
No school ranked higher than College Of William And Mary this year for english language & literature. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 52 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $40,697 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #2. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 148 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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A rank of #3 makes Virginia Military Institute one of the top schools for english language & literature. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Virginia Military Institute earn around $47,915 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #4. 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 97 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $39,155 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans.
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James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. 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. There were roughly 112 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $26,049. Students borrow a median of $22,706 to complete this degree.
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University Of Richmond earned the #6 position for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Richmond awarded about 30 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Richmond earn around $38,333 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,980 to complete this degree.
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University Of Mary Washington earned the #7 position for english language & literature this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 39 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $30,540 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $23,990 in student loans.
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George Mason University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 145 english language & literature degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $38,254 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,221 in student loans.
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Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #9 position for english language & literature this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 105 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $27,005. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans.
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Christopher Newport University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 29 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Christopher Newport University earn around $29,310 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Old Dominion University placed #11 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 210 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $35,723 in their early career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,103 in student loans.
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Randolph College came in at #12 for english language & literature this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Randolph College awarded about 32 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Randolph College graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans.
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Liberty University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 375 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $35,171 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete this degree.
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Longwood University landed the #14 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 12 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $40,167 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
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Radford University came in at #15 for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. About 49% of students finish within six years. Radford University awarded about 24 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $25,407 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
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Roanoke College landed the #16 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 18 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $19,925. Students borrow a median of $26,940 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned the #17 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. The University Of Virginias College At Wise graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. The University Of Virginias College At Wise graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans.
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Hollins University came in at #18 for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Hollins University awarded about 40 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $25,876 in their early career. Hollins University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Regent University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. About 58% of students finish within six years. Regent University awarded about 23 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $23,986. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for Regent University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 42 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.