General English Literature is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general english literature programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1514 schools to find the best for general english literature students.
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Choosing a Great General English Literature School
The school you choose for general english literature can shape your career. That is why we built our Best General English Literature Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
General English Literature Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General English Literature Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year for general english literature. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Georgetown University awarded about 66 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. General English Literature graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $53,813 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general english literature from Georgetown University
Students looking for a strong general english literature program will find one at Yale University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 general english literature degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. General English Literature graduates of Yale University earn a median of $41,045 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Read more about the general english literature program at Yale University
College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general english literature, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 52 general english literature degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $40,697 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general english literature program at College Of William And Mary
A rank of #4 makes Lafayette College one of the top schools for general english literature. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 21 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette College in the most recent data year. General English Literature graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $59,513 early in their careers. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general english literature from Lafayette College
A rank of #5 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the top schools for general english literature. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 35 general english literature degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $68,303 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general english literature from Washington University In St Louis
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #6 among the best general english literature schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 137 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general english literature 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 general english literature from University Of Virginia Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best general english literature schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 101 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general english literature program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Dartmouth College placed #8 among the best general english literature schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Dartmouth College awarded about 29 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $45,157. Typical student debt for the program is $20,407.
Read more about the general english literature program at Dartmouth College
Northwestern University came in at #9 for general english literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 42 general english literature degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $31,748. Typical student debt for the program is $15,564.
Read more about the general english literature program at Northwestern University
Colgate University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general english literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 31 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $48,008. Typical student debt for the program is $15,875.
Get the full general english literature details for Colgate University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #11 among the best general english literature schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $37,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,961.
Read more about the general english literature program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Middlebury College came in at #12 for general english literature this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Middlebury College awarded about 89 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. General English Literature graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $75,793 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general english literature program at Middlebury College
Bowdoin College landed the #13 spot for general english literature this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Bowdoin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $49,421. Typical student debt for the program is $20,658.
Get the full general english literature details for Bowdoin College
Bates College placed #14 among the best general english literature schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 19 general english literature degrees were awarded at Bates College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $40,233. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete this degree.
See the full general english literature program report for Bates College
University Of Southern California landed the #15 spot for general english literature this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 49 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Typical student debt for the program is $7,875.
More information about a degree in general english literature from University Of Southern California
Boston College landed the #16 spot for general english literature this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 69 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $42,699. Students borrow a median of $18,832 to complete this degree.
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Wesleyan University landed the #17 spot for general english literature this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 45 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $39,764 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
Get the full general english literature details for Wesleyan University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #18 for general english literature this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 19 general english literature degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $42,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general english literature schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 86 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $33,742. Students borrow a median of $16,937 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general english literature program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Vanderbilt University placed #20 among the best general english literature schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 general english literature degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $34,633. Students borrow a median of $13,420 to complete this degree.
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Cornell University placed #21 among the best general english literature schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 51 general english literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $33,270 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,275.
See the full general english literature program report for Cornell University
Texas Christian University landed the #22 spot for general english literature this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 general english literature students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960.
Get the full general english literature details for Texas Christian University
Virginia Military Institute ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general english literature schools. This small public university is located in the town of Lexington. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 23 general english literature degrees were awarded at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $47,915. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete this degree.
See the full general english literature program report for Virginia Military Institute
Barnard College landed the #24 spot for general english literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 48 general english literature degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general english literature degree from Barnard College earn around $40,414 in the first couple years of their career. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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Brown University came in at #25 for general english literature this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 73 general english literature degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general english literature program make about $50,437 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general english literature program at Brown University
Rest of the Top 50 General English Literature Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general english literature this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 1514 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).
