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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 285 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english language & literature students pursuing a degree.
Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for english language & literature. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 66 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent 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.
See the full english language & literature program report for Georgetown University
Lafayette College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #2 spot this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Lafayette College awarded about 21 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & 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 english language & literature from Lafayette College
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus 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 University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 101 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full english language & literature program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong english language & literature program will find one at Colgate University, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 31 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Colgate University earn around $48,008 in the first couple years of their career. Colgate University graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans.
Get the full english language & literature details for Colgate University
University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 141 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,967. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University came in at #6 for english language & literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 145 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $49,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,728 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for Johns Hopkins University
Cornell University placed #7 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $16,275.
Read more about the english language & literature program at Cornell University
Barnard College earned the #8 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $40,414. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for Barnard College
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 35 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $53,254 in their early career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Carnegie Mellon University
New York University placed #10 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 215 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $46,268 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,625.
See the full english language & literature program report for New York University
Drexel University landed the #11 spot for english language & literature this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 38 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $67,556 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the english language & literature program at Drexel University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #12 for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 118 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $36,561 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Maryland College Park
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #13 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn around $61,459 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Union College New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Union College New York graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Union College New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $52,020 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,869.
More information about a degree in english language & literature from Union College New York
Pace University New York came in at #15 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Pace University New York awarded about 37 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Pace University New York earn around $25,758 in the first couple years of their career. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the english language & literature program at Pace University New York
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #16 for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $27,547 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Swarthmore College placed #17 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Swarthmore College awarded about 15 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full english language & literature details for Swarthmore College
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 146 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the english language & literature program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
George Washington University landed the #19 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 35 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from George Washington University earn around $38,985 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for George Washington University
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans.
Get the full english language & literature details for Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Rowan University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Rowan University awarded about 131 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Rowan University earn around $39,624 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,752 to complete this degree.
Get the full english language & literature details for Rowan University
Suny At Binghamton earned the #22 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 122 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $25,663 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,538 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for Suny At Binghamton
The College Of New Jersey placed #23 among the best english language & literature schools. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 85 english language & literature degrees were awarded at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $49,423 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full english language & literature program report for The College Of New Jersey
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #24 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 317 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $36,110 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,733 to complete this degree.
Read more about the english language & literature program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Princeton University earned the #25 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. Princeton University awarded about 49 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $35,178 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
See the full english language & literature program report for Princeton University
Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 285 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).
