by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Literature involves the study of General Literature. A Program That Focuses On Literature From One Or More Genres, Cultures Or Traditions. Includes Instruction In Period And Genre Studies, Author Studies, Literary Criticism, And Studies Of Various Types Of Literary Text. Examples: [Literary Studies]. Continue reading for the key facts every general literature major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general literature programs.
Across the country, general literature draws strong interest, with 396 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Literature Schools ranking analyzes these 62 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general literature students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general literature programs later in this article.
Studies in General Literature emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general literature graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a general literature program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general literature major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general literature degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 54 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 295 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 47 |
People currently working in careers related to general literature tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.9% |
| Master’s degree | 24.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 8.9% |
| Some college courses | 7.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.0% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general literature careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying general literature prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general literature.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general literature.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,273,615 | 14.3% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
| Editors | 11,763 | 3.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general literature graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $24,997 |
| 4 years | $42,308 |
| 5 years | $49,276 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general literature graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general literature grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Editors | $100,346 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $88,437 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,195 |
With 62 different general literature programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general literature school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general literature, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| English Literature (British and Commonwealth) | 266 |
| Children’s and Adolescent Literature | 55 |
| Literature, Other | 36 |
| American Literature (United States) | 30 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
