English Language & Literature programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 1675 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best english language & literature schools.
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Choosing a Great English Language & Literature School
Where you study english language & literature matters for your future. That is why we built our Best English Language & Literature Schools rankings. For our Best Overall English Language & Literature School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that 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.
English Language & 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 English Language & 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.
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for english language & literature. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $53,813. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
Get the full english language & literature details for Georgetown University
Yale University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 83 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Yale University earn a median of $41,045 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for Yale University
Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students who receive their english language & 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.
Get the full english language & literature details for College Of William And Mary
Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at Lafayette College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. About 21 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Lafayette College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $59,513. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
Get the full english language & literature details for Lafayette College
Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $31,748 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,564 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Northwestern University
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #6 among the best english language & literature 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. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 148 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $40,092 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for english language & literature this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 101 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
See the full english language & literature program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Dartmouth College placed #8 among the best english language & literature schools. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 29 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Dartmouth College earn around $45,157 in the first couple years of their career. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $20,407 in student loans.
Read more about the english language & literature program at Dartmouth College
Colgate University came in at #9 for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. Colgate University awarded about 31 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $48,008 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,875.
See the full english language & literature program report for Colgate University
Middlebury College placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 89 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Middlebury College earn around $75,793 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,092 to complete this degree.
Read more about the english language & literature program at Middlebury College
Bowdoin College landed the #11 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Bowdoin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $49,421. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete this degree.
Get the full english language & literature details for Bowdoin College
Bates College placed #12 among the best english language & literature schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lewiston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Bates College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $40,233 in their early career. Bates College graduates carry a median of $12,226 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for Bates College
Boston College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Boston College earn around $42,699 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,832 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Boston College
Wesleyan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wesleyan University awarded about 51 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for Wesleyan University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for english language & literature this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 141 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $40,967 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University placed #16 among the best english language & literature schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 145 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $49,461 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,728.
See the full english language & literature program report for Johns Hopkins University
Vanderbilt University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 39 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature 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.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Vanderbilt University
Cornell University earned the #18 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 58 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Cornell University earn around $33,270 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $16,275 in student loans.
Get the full english language & literature details for Cornell University
Texas Christian University came in at #19 for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Texas Christian University
Virginia Military Institute ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This small public university is located in the town of Lexington. Virginia Military Institute graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & 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 english language & literature program report for Virginia Military Institute
Barnard College landed the #21 spot for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Barnard College awarded about 48 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $40,414. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Get the full english language & literature details for Barnard College
Harvard University landed the #22 spot for english language & literature this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Harvard University awarded about 159 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Harvard University earn around $30,838 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Get the full english language & literature details for Harvard University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #23 spot for english language & literature this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 26 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,183 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
See the full english language & literature program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #24 for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 125 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $31,452 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $14,112 in student loans.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 129 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $26,132 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,162 in student loans.
Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english language & literature education:
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 · 1675 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).
