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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best English Language & Literature Schools in New York

45 Colleges in the United States
3,426 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$33,609 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 112 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 New York

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
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University tops our 2026 ranking of the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 31 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $48,008. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Colgate University

2

A rank of #2 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for english language & literature. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish 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. Students borrow a median of $16,275 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Cornell University

3
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #3. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Barnard College

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes New York University one of the top schools for english language & literature. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 215 english language & literature degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of New York University earn a median of $46,268 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from New York University

5

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data 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

6
Union College New York crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY

Union College New York placed #6 among the best english language & literature schools. Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Schenectady. Union College New York graduates 80% of students within six years. Union College New York awarded about 13 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Union College New York earn around $52,020 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,869 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Union College New York

7

Pace University New York ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Pace University New York graduates 60% of students within six years. About 37 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $25,758. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Pace University New York

8

Suny At Binghamton placed #8 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. About 122 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $25,663 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,538. Get the full english language & literature details for Suny At Binghamton

9
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College placed #9 among the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Clinton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Hamilton College awarded about 37 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $28,442 early in their careers. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Hamilton College

10
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Skidmore College graduates 83% of students within six years. About 50 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Skidmore College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $26,058 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Skidmore College

11

University Of Rochester ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $35,053. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Rochester

12
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #12 among the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 123 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Stony Brook University earn around $34,231 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,606 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Stony Brook University

13

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #13 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. About 44 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $60,758 in their early career. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

14
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #14 position for english language & literature this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. There were roughly 17 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Laguardia Community College 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. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Cuny Laguardia Community College

15
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #15 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 149 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $27,958 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,431 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Cuny Hunter College

16
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University placed #16 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Hofstra University awarded about 29 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $35,637 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,485. See the full english language & literature program report for Hofstra University

17
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College landed the #17 spot for english language & literature this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. Vassar College awarded about 25 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $24,614 in their early career. Vassar College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Vassar College

18

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #18 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 309 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $36,914. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Read more about the english language & literature program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

19

Cuny Queens College came in at #19 for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Queens College awarded about 116 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $36,757 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Cuny Queens College

20
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #20 position for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 60 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Suny At Albany earn around $31,940 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Suny At Albany

21

Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #21 for english language & literature this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. About 45% of students finish within six years. Suny College At Old Westbury awarded about 32 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $27,142 in their early career. Suny College At Old Westbury graduates carry a median of $16,912 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Suny College At Old Westbury

22
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo landed the #22 spot for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Geneseo. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Geneseo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $29,422 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Get the full english language & literature details for Suny At Geneseo

23

Suny College At Oneonta came in at #23 for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Suny College At Oneonta earn around $27,593 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,920. See the full english language & literature program report for Suny College At Oneonta

24
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #24 for english language & literature this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of The New School earn a median of $33,412 early in their careers. The New School graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for The New School

25
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Siena College graduates 75% of students within six years. About 15 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Siena College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $31,655 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Siena College

Rest of the Top 50 English Language & Literature Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s english language & literature ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Sarah Lawrence College crest
Sarah Lawrence College
Bronxville, NY
32
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
33
34
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
35
36
37
38
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
39
40
Iona College crest
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY
41
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
42
43
44
Le Moyne College crest
Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY
45
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
46
47
48
49
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY
50

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Notes and References

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 · 112 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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