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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best English Language & Literature Schools in Tennessee

12 Colleges in the United States
646 English Language & Literature Degrees Awarded
$34,730 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for english language & literature students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for English Language & Literature in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall english language & literature education in Tennessee.

Top Schools in English Language & Literature

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for english language & literature. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 39 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $34,633 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,420 to complete this degree. Get the full english language & literature details for Vanderbilt University

2

A rank of #2 makes Sewanee The University Of The South one of the top schools for english language & literature. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Sewanee The University Of The South awarded about 52 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Sewanee The University Of The South

3
Rhodes College crest
Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 21 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Rhodes College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Rhodes College earn around $40,807 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,545. Read more about the english language & literature program at Rhodes College

4
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in english language & literature, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full english language & literature program report for Lipscomb University

5

The University Of Tennessee came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. About 97 english language & literature degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $26,476 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,990. Read more about the english language & literature program at The University Of Tennessee

6

Freed Hardeman University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best english language & literature schools. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in english language & literature from Freed Hardeman University

7

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 131 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $31,554 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,045 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Middle Tennessee State University

8

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #8 for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $22,999 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,796. More information about a degree in english language & literature from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

9

East Tennessee State University placed #9 among the best english language & literature schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 80 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their english language & literature degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $21,836 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,598. See the full english language & literature program report for East Tennessee State University

10

Tennessee Technological University came in at #10 for english language & literature this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 english language & literature degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Students borrow a median of $19,039 to complete this degree. Read more about the english language & literature program at Tennessee Technological University

11
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University earned the #11 position for english language & literature this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, english language & literature degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $22,360. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Get the full english language & literature details for Belmont University

12

University Of Memphis came in at #12 for english language & literature this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Memphis. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 85 english language & literature students who graduated with this degree at University Of Memphis in the most recent data year. English Language & Literature graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $25,948 early in their careers. University Of Memphis graduates carry a median of $23,708 in student loans. See the full english language & literature program report for University Of Memphis

13

Austin Peay State University earned the #13 position for english language & literature this year. This large public university is located in the city of Clarksville. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Austin Peay State University awarded about 35 english language & literature degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the english language & literature program make about $37,486 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,677. Get the full english language & literature details for Austin Peay State University

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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 · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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