English Language & Literature is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1675 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english language & literature students pursuing a degree.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Laguardia Community College the best school in the country for a degree in english language & literature. This large public university is located in the city of Long Island City. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 17 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College
San Diego Mesa College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Mesa College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $29,852 in their early career. San Diego Mesa College graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans.
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Austin Community College District is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. There were roughly 40 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $33,514 early in their careers. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $13,799 in student loans.
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Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. About 21 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
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De Anza College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. There were roughly 24 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271.
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Diablo Valley College came in at #6 for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 26 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans.
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Nassau Community College landed the #7 spot for english language & literature this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Garden City. There were roughly 14 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Typical student debt for the program is $11,850.
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Golden West College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Golden West College awarded about 19 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $82,984 in their early career. Golden West College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
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Pasadena City College came in at #9 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Pasadena City College awarded about 60 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Pasadena City College
College Of San Mateo earned the #10 position for english language & literature this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 17 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from College Of San Mateo
El Camino Community College District earned the #11 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. About 58 english language & literature degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year.
See the full english language & literature program report for El Camino Community College District
Moorpark College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. There were roughly 17 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Moorpark College graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans.
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Orange Coast College earned the #13 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. About 33 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978.
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Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chandler. Chandler Gilbert Community College awarded about 18 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $46,943 in their early career. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans.
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Normandale Community College earned the #15 position for english language & literature this year. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 13 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Normandale Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Normandale Community College earn around $53,871 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete this degree.
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Mt San Antonio College earned the #16 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 65 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384.
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Saddleback College placed #17 among the best english language & literature schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. There were roughly 42 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans.
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Capital Community College earned the #18 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. Capital Community College awarded about 26 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Capital Community College graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans.
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Santa Barbara City College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. There were roughly 18 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree.
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Cuesta College landed the #20 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. Cuesta College awarded about 18 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Cuesta College earn around $64,492 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree.
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Cypress College came in at #21 for english language & literature this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Cypress College awarded about 24 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year.
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College Of Southern Nevada came in at #22 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. College Of Southern Nevada awarded about 41 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $35,850 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete this degree.
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Palomar College placed #23 among the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 31 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Palomar College in the most recent year.
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Santiago Canyon College earned the #24 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. About 19 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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San Diego Miramar College landed the #25 spot for english language & literature this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego Miramar College awarded about 13 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for San Diego Miramar College
Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools
These schools also placed among the best for english language & literature this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, 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).
