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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Far Western Region

62 Colleges in the United States
8,282 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$42,442 Avg Early-Career Salary

English Language & Literature degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 244 schools to find the best for english language & literature students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for English Language & Literature in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the english language & literature degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in English Language & Literature

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Southern California this year for english language & literature. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 97 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $26,636. Students borrow a median of $19,053 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Southern California

2

A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for english language & literature. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 90 english language & literature degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in english language & literature from San Jose State University

3
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

A rank of #3 makes Santa Clara University one of the top schools for english language & literature. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 17 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $79,380 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Santa Clara University

4

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 266 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $24,273 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,128 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of California Los Angeles

5

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 259 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $41,327 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,016. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of California Berkeley

6

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #6 spot for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $34,718 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,956 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

7
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Scripps College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 22 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Scripps College in the most recent year. Get the full english language & literature details for Scripps College

8
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College placed #8 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Pomona College

9

George Fox University came in at #9 for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Newberg. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Fox University awarded about 13 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $52,898 early in their careers. George Fox University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from George Fox University

10

University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 153 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of California Davis earn around $25,477 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,900 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of California Davis

11

University Of California Irvine landed the #11 spot for english language & literature this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 182 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $26,021 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $18,176 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of California Irvine

12

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #12 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 132 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $24,099. Typical student debt for the program is $17,550. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of California Santa Barbara

13

Dominican University Of California landed the #13 spot for english language & literature this year. Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Rafael. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University Of California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Dominican University Of California earn around $70,752 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full english language & literature program report for Dominican University Of California

14

California State University Long Beach came in at #14 for english language & literature this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 302 english language & literature degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $25,933. Typical student debt for the program is $15,331. Read more about the english language & literature program at California State University Long Beach

15

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #15 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 154 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $34,671 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,878 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

16
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University earned the #16 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 68 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $31,282 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,239 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Sonoma State University

17

California State University Sacramento landed the #17 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 164 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,531. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. Read more about the english language & literature program at California State University Sacramento

18

Chapman University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 90 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $32,742. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Chapman University

19

University Of Portland earned the #19 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Portland awarded about 18 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $54,739 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,057. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Portland

20

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #20 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $40,280. Typical student debt for the program is $15,636. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

21
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #21 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 51 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $30,544. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Read more about the english language & literature program at Stanford University

22

San Diego State University placed #22 among the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Diego State University awarded about 166 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $39,161 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,997. Read more about the english language & literature program at San Diego State University

23

California State University Fullerton placed #23 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 159 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $29,133 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,812. More information about a degree in english language & literature from California State University Fullerton

24
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University earned the #24 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $41,077. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Gonzaga University

25

Whitworth University came in at #25 for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Spokane. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Whitworth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Whitworth University earn around $36,387 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,642 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Whitworth University

Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong english language & literature education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
33
34
35
36
37
Mount St Marys College crest
Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
48
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for english language & literature:

Narrow English Language & Literature Schools by State

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Notes and References

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 · 244 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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