by our College Data Analytics Team
[General English Language Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general english language literature schools.
What’s on this page:
The general english language literature program you select can have a big impact on your future earnings. That is why we built our Highest Paid General English Language Literature Graduates ranking. We rank each school on the early-career earnings of its general english language literature graduates to surface the highest-paying programs.
Read more about our methodology
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Below are the schools whose general english language literature graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is San Diego Mesa College, our #1 for general english language literature graduate salaries in the United States. San Diego Mesa College is a public school located in the city of San Diego. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College typically earn about $39,391 annually.
Santa Clara University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general english language literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Santa Clara University make a median of around $82,650 per year.
Lafayette College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Lafayette College typically earn about $74,426 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Virginia Military Institute earned it the #4 place for general english language literature. Virginia Military Institute is a public school located in the town of Lexington. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Virginia Military Institute make a median of around $73,619 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Seattle University one of the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Seattle University typically earn about $65,112 annually.
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California State University Bakersfield earned the #6 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. California State University Bakersfield is a public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,875.
Dartmouth College earned the #7 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Dartmouth College make a median of around $90,619 per year.
Yeshiva University earned the #8 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Yeshiva University earn a median of about $62,212 a year early in their careers.
Lehigh University landed the #9 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Lehigh University make a median of around $62,083 per year.
Howard University came in at #10 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Howard University make a median of around $61,946 per year.
Catholic University Of America landed the #11 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Catholic University Of America make a median of around $61,898 per year.
Middlebury College earned the #12 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,793.
University Of Portland landed the #13 spot for general english language literature salaries this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,057.
Rice University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. General English Language Literature graduates of Rice University earn a median of about $60,641 a year early in their careers.
Depauw University earned the #15 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Depauw University earn a median of about $59,324 a year early in their careers.
Sacred Heart University came in at #16 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of about $59,202 a year early in their careers.
College Of The Holy Cross came in at #17 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from College Of The Holy Cross typically earn about $81,948 annually.
University Of Southern California came in at #18 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of about $57,930 a year early in their careers.
Southern Methodist University placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. General English Language Literature graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of about $73,804 a year early in their careers.
San Jose State University came in at #20 for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. General English Language Literature graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $57,604 a year early in their careers.
Union College New York earned the #21 position for general english language literature graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general english language literature degree recipients from Union College New York typically earn about $57,259 annually.
Rhodes College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Rhodes College make a median of around $57,062 per year.
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,008.
University Of The Pacific placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for general english language literature. University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Students who complete the general english language literature program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,973.
Drake University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general english language literature schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general english language literature graduates from Drake University make a median of around $56,288 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid general english language literature ranking:
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The following schools rounded out the strongest general english language literature earnings:
These schools earned honorable mentions for general english language literature graduate pay:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #92 | North Dakota State University Main Campus | Fargo, ND | $47,226 | Full Report |
| #93 | Wabash College | Crawfordsville, IN | $47,056 | Full Report |
| #94 | Saint Anselm College | Manchester, NH | $63,982 | Full Report |
| #95 | Point Park University | Pittsburgh, PA | $46,934 | Full Report |
| #96 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $65,369 | Full Report |
| #97 | College Of William And Mary | Williamsburg, VA | $55,995 | Full Report |
| #98 | Canisius College | Buffalo, NY | $46,772 | Full Report |
| #99 | Westminster College Pa | New Wilmington, PA | $46,666 | Full Report |
| #100 | Lesley University | Cambridge, MA | $58,722 | Full Report |
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general english language literature graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
