Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2026

Badge for BEST FOR ENGLISH LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham and Jenn Finley
Reviewed By Jenn Finley

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

The best English / literature liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best English degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding English faculty.

Key Takeaways

The best liberal arts colleges for English majors are recognized for their track record of academic excellence, faculty credentials and influence, and student support services. Their bachelor’s degree programs in the English language and English literature are the training grounds for future teachers, public relations specialists, and authors, among other occupations.
Students interested in becoming an English major must possess above-average communication skills, both oral and writing skills. Liberal arts colleges are known for their selective admissions standards and qualified students have been carefully screened.
English as a liberal arts degree also demands soft skills like critical thinking and communication skills.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges English Programs in 2026

Wesleyan University
Swarthmore College
+1
Amherst College
–1
United States Military Academy
Smith College
+1
Oberlin College
+1
Williams College
–2
Wellesley College
Barnard College
United States Naval Academy

Featured Programs

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with English Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

English Language And Literature

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,715
Avg. Expenses*: $17,411
Avg. Starting Salary*: $29,839
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $39,970
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 13 years
Job Growth: -0.55%
Number of Jobs: 1,148,200
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	1.14%	$78,130
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	-0.64%	$65,220
Proofreaders and Copy Markers	-2.99%	$48,790

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$78,130
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$65,220
Proofreaders and Copy Markers	$48,790

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

A bachelor’s degree in English (also referred to as an literature major in many schools) is an excellent starting point for a career in journalism, education, publishing, and a host of other exciting and creative fields. As an English major, you’ll refine your compositional skills, engage in critical reading, and explore the connection between literature and a vast array of other disciplines, including philosophy, history, and business. The best schools for English / literature are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of literature and English concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Degree popularity: English bachelor’s degrees are the 23rd most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics, ranking much higher for women at 15th versus 39th for men. It’s most popular among White women for whom it ranks 14th, followed by Hispanic women for whom it ranks 24th, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics

Exploring English Degrees in Liberal Arts Schools

The best liberal arts colleges for English degrees introduce students to the wide range of literature and other works in the English language. But while there’s the possibility of personal fulfillment and professional success with an English degree, students interested in becoming English majors must also be aware of the challenges.

Admission Requirements

The challenge starts with admission into the best bachelor’s degree program of your choice! The best English degree programs have selective admissions criteria and requirements, thus, prospective students must be well-prepared with their academic credentials and documents.

While the admissions criteria (i.e., weight given to each criterion) differs among English degree programs, the common minimum requirements include:

A high school or an associate degree with minimum GPA
Minimum grades on prerequisite subjects, such as English composition
Official transcripts from schools attended
Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)
Letters of recommendation
Personal statements (In essay form)
Current curriculum vitae

Many liberal arts colleges offering English degree programs also conduct interviews with qualified students to further determine their suitability (i.e., oral communication skills). Academic writing samples may also be required as proof of writing skills.

Average Time-to-completion

Bachelor’s degree programs in English typically require students to complete the academic requirements for 60 credit hours or its equivalent. This means an average time-to-completion between four and five years but the actual time-to-completion for each student can vary based on these factors:

Number of transfer credits from college-level courses, such as from an associate degree or Advanced Placement courses
Part-time or full-time matriculation
Internship or practicum hours required, if any

The choice between on-campus and online programs will also affect your level of academic success in an English degree program. Many of the best liberals arts colleges offer students the choice between these formats.

Academic Evaluations and Challenges

Since online and on-campus English degree programs feature the same curriculum, all students must meet the standards for academic excellence. Students must read a broad range of works in English literature, which demands above-average critical reading skills, and submit papers, among other requirements.

The methods for academic evaluations determine the students’ progress in the English degree programs, too. Liberal arts colleges use these evaluation methods:

Class participation in lectures, discussions and recitations
Assignment submissions including various types of papers
Journals and portfolios
Quizzes and exams

Academic misdemeanors, such as plagiarism and cheating, can be met with punishments, such as suspension or expulsion.

Internship and/or practicum opportunities may be available in the best liberal arts colleges, too. The hands-on experiences are gained in diverse workplaces, too, from colleges and universities to public relations firms.

Technical and Transferable Skills Development

The beauty of an English degree lies in the set of valuable skills that students develop during the program. Technical skills, such as professional writing skills, creative writing skills, and technical writing skills in the English language, are emphasized. But students also develop transferable skills including:

Critical thinking skills
Communication skills
Storytelling and presentation skills
Creativity

No wonder graduates of English degree programs in liberal arts colleges find gainful employment in diverse occupations and enjoy personal fulfillment, too! The bachelor’s degree is also a stepping stone toward a master’s degree and, if you so desire, a doctorate degree in English.

A liberal arts degree in English from a top-ranked program can open career opportunities in technical writing. Find out what else you can do with a liberal arts degree.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Per-credit costs for an English degree ranges between $180 and $600+ with the actual pre-credit costs depending on the type of institution (whether public or private). Financial aid is available in the form of federal and state financial aid, scholarships, and grants.

Like all other bachelor’s degrees, an English degree from a liberal arts college is what you make of it—leveraging it to your advantage is key to your success.

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in English.

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for English programs

The Best English Schools in Your State

Learn More About English and Literature

If you want to know more about English and literature, then check out our related content:

Learn how to major in English
Think about your next step and what you can do with a master’s degree in English
Learn more about law from our interviews with influential historians
Find out who are the most influential writers today

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees 2026

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges English Programs in 2026

Featured Programs

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for English Degrees

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for English degree at Wesleyan University

Most Influential Alumni

Wesleyan University English Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for English degree at Swarthmore College

Most Influential Alumni

Swarthmore College English Major Concentration:

Career Outlook for English degree at Amherst College

Most Influential Alumni

Amherst English Major:

Most Influential Alumni

West Point English Majors:

Career Outlook for English degree at Smith College

Most Influential Alumni

Smith College English Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for English degree at Oberlin College

Most Influential Alumni

Oberlin College English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Williams College

Most Influential Alumni

Williams College English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Wellesley College

Most Influential Alumni

Wellesley College English Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for English degree at Barnard College

Most Influential Alumni

Barnard College English Major Concentrations:

Most Influential Alumni

USNA English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Vassar College

Most Influential Alumni

Vassar College English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Bryn Mawr College

Most Influential Alumni

Bryn Mawr College English Major Concentration:

Career Outlook for English degree at San Francisco State University

Most Influential Alumni

SFSU English Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for English degree at Mount Holyoke College

Most Influential Alumni

Mount Holyoke English Major Concentration:

Career Outlook for English degree at Reed College

Most Influential Alumni

Reed College English Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for English degree at Haverford College

Most Influential Alumni

Haverford College English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Pomona College

Most Influential Alumni

Pomona College English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Washington and Lee University

Most Influential Alumni

W&L English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Bowdoin College

Most Influential Alumni

Bowdoin College English Major Concentration:

Career Outlook for English degree at Colgate University

Most Influential Alumni

Colgate University English Majors:

Career Outlook for English degree at Middlebury College

Most Influential Alumni

Middlebury College English Major Concentration:

Career Outlook for English degree at Kenyon College

Most Influential Alumni

Kenyon College English Major Concentrations:

Career Outlook for English degree at Davidson College

Most Influential Alumni

Davidson College English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Claremont McKenna College

Most Influential Alumni

CMC English Major:

Career Outlook for English degree at Hamilton College

Most Influential Alumni

Hamilton College English Major:

Career Outlook for Students with English Degree