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

26 Colleges in the United States
1,780 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$37,334 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 103 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best english language & literature schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for English Language & Literature in Pennsylvania

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
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Leading the list is Lafayette College, our #1 school for english language & literature. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Lafayette College

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in english language & literature, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students 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. Get the full english language & literature details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Pennsylvania

4

A rank of #4 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the top schools for english language & literature. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 35 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $53,254 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Read more about the english language & literature program at Carnegie Mellon University

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University 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. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 38 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Drexel University earn around $67,556 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 Drexel University

6
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College earned the #6 position for english language & literature this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Swarthmore. 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. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $66,971 in their early career. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Swarthmore College

7

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for english language & literature this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 146 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the english language & literature program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

8

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #8 for english language & literature this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. More information about a degree in english language & literature from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

9
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College came in at #9 for english language & literature this year. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Haverford College in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Haverford College

10

Franklin And Marshall College came in at #10 for english language & literature this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lancaster. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 27 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Franklin And Marshall College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $33,476 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,083. Read more about the english language & literature program at Franklin And Marshall College

11
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #11 among the best english language & literature schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 22 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $45,417. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Villanova University

12
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College earned the #12 position for english language & literature this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Gettysburg. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Gettysburg College awarded about 18 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Gettysburg College earn a median of $40,601 early in their careers. Gettysburg College graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Gettysburg College

13

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 37 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. See the full english language & literature program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

14
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University placed #14 among the best english language & literature schools. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 30 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Bucknell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $34,043. Bucknell University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Bucknell University

15
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University landed the #15 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $31,266 early in their careers. Saint Josephs University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Saint Josephs University

16
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 26 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $35,668 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Bryn Mawr College

17
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Dickinson College in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $25,510 early in their careers. Dickinson College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Dickinson College

18

Pennsylvania Western University earned the #18 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 27 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. Get the full english language & literature details for Pennsylvania Western University

19

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Abington. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington graduates 20% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington awarded about 13 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. See the full english language & literature program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington

20

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #20 position for english language & literature this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates 26% of students within six years. About 11 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent year. See the full english language & literature program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

21
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College earned the #21 position for english language & literature this year. Set in the town of Grove City, Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Grove City College in the most recent year. Read more about the english language & literature program at Grove City College

22
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University landed the #22 spot for english language & literature this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. English Language & Literature graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,941 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,098 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Duquesne University

23
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 73 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes University in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $33,352 early in their careers. Wilkes University graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Wilkes University

24

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 16 english language & literature degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown in the most recent year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $32,749 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown graduates carry a median of $26,590 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown

25

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 41 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,242 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

Rest of the Top 43 English Language & Literature Schools

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

26
27
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
28
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA
29
30
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
31
32
33
34
35
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA
36
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Seton Hill University crest
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA

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Notes and References

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 · 103 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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