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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best English Schools in the Southeast Region

110 Colleges in the United States
6,342 English Degrees Awarded
$35,104 Avg Early-Career Salary

English degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their english programs.

College Factual analyzed 339 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best english schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for English 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 degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in English

1

Leading the list is College Of William And Mary, our #1 school for english. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. College Of William And Mary awarded about 52 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english 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. More information about a degree in english from College Of William And Mary

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. 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. About 137 english degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $40,092 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in english from University Of Virginia Main Campus

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 english students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $34,633 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,420. Read more about the english program at Vanderbilt University

4

Virginia Military Institute came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Virginia Military Institute graduates 76% of students within six years. About 23 english degrees were awarded at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent year. Graduates of the english program make about $47,915 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,309. Read more about the english program at Virginia Military Institute

5
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english, ranking #5. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 34 english degrees in the most recent data year. English graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $31,449 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at Wake Forest University

6

Elon University earned the #6 position for english this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 english degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english program make about $36,302 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,619. See the full english program report for Elon University

7

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 for english this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 87 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $39,155 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,625. More information about a degree in english from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #8 position for english this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 123 english students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english 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. Get the full english details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

9
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College came in at #9 for english 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 15 english students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. English graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $34,707 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for Davidson College

10

Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #10 spot for english this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 45 english degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. English graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $30,318 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,652. See the full english program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

11
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #11 spot for english this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 english students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from Emory University earn around $36,019 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the english program at Emory University

12
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 56 english degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english degree from Clemson University earn around $33,509 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,123 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for Clemson University

13
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University came in at #13 for english this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 english degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039. Read more about the english program at Samford University

14
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College placed #14 among the best english schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 21 english degrees were awarded at Rhodes College in the most recent year. English graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $40,807 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,545. More information about a degree in english from Rhodes College

15
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #15 position for english this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 158 english degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english degree from University Of Florida earn around $47,082 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,950 to complete this degree. Get the full english details for University Of Florida

16
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #16 position for english this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 292 english degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $43,649. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in english from Florida State University

17
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #17 for english this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 english students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. English graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $26,049 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Read more about the english program at James Madison University

18
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond placed #18 among the best english schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 15 english students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english 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. Read more about the english program at University Of Richmond

19
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University landed the #19 spot for english this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 17 english degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english program make about $48,949 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english from Lipscomb University

20
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best english schools. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 39 english degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $30,540 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,990 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english from University Of Mary Washington

21
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University placed #21 among the best english schools. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 32 english degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $34,962. Students borrow a median of $15,362 to complete this degree. See the full english program report for Duke University

22
Wofford College crest
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College placed #22 among the best english schools. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 23 english degrees were awarded at Wofford College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english program make about $34,478 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,941 to complete this degree. Get the full english details for Wofford College

23

George Mason University placed #23 among the best english schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 68 english degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $47,348 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,502 in student loans. Get the full english details for George Mason University

24

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #24 among the best english schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 136 english degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. English graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $34,130 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,680 in student loans. Get the full english details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

25

University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #25 among the best english schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Huntsville. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 english students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english program make about $62,903 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,797. Read more about the english program at University Of Alabama At Huntsville

Rest of the Top 50 English Schools

These schools also placed among the best for english this year:

26
27
Berry College crest
Berry College
Mount Berry, GA
28
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC
29
Spelman College crest
Spelman College
Atlanta, GA
30
31
32
33
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
34
35
36
37
38
39
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC
40
41
42
43
44
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
45
46
47
48
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA
49
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more english schools worth a look:

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View All English Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 339 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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