Best Research Universities for English Degrees

Badge for BEST FOR ENGLISH RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

The best English and Literature research universities 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.

Top 10 Research Universities English Programs

Sort by:
  1. Harvard University
  2. Columbia University
  3. Yale University
  4. Stanford University
  5. Princeton University
  6. University of Chicago
  7. University of California, Berkeley
  8. New York University
  9. Brown University
  10. Cornell University
  1. Harvard University
  2. University of California, Berkeley
  3. Columbia University
  4. University of Chicago
  5. Stanford University
  6. Yale University
  7. Princeton University
  8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  9. University of Michigan
  10. Cornell University
  1. University of Texas at Austin 29%
  2. University of Virginia 21%
  3. University of Michigan 20%
  4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 20%
  5. Boston University 19%
  6. University of California, Berkeley 14%
  7. University of Southern California 13%
  8. New York University 13%
  9. Georgetown University 12%
  10. University of California, Los Angeles 11%
  1. University of California, Berkeley 19 to 1
  2. University of California, Los Angeles 18 to 1
  3. University of Texas at Austin 17 to 1
  4. University of Virginia 15 to 1
  5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 13 to 1
  6. Georgetown University 11 to 1
  7. University of Michigan 11 to 1
  8. Boston University 10 to 1
  9. Tufts University 10 to 1
  10. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  1. Columbia University $63,530
  2. Tufts University $63,000
  3. Brown University $62,304
  4. University of Chicago $62,241
  5. University of Pennsylvania $61,710
  6. University of Southern California $61,503
  7. Cornell University $61,015
  8. Dartmouth College $60,870
  9. Northwestern University $60,768
  10. Duke University $60,244
  1. University of Chicago $62,640
  2. Brown University $60,944
  3. University of Southern California $60,446
  4. Dartmouth College $58,953
  5. Johns Hopkins University $58,720
  6. Boston University $58,560
  7. Duke University $57,900
  8. Northwestern University $56,067
  9. Princeton University $56,010
  10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology $55,510
  1. Tufts University
  2. Boston University
  3. University of Virginia
  4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  5. Georgetown University
  6. University of Texas at Austin
  7. Dartmouth College
  8. Johns Hopkins University
  9. Northwestern University
  10. University of Southern California
  1. Tufts University
  2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  3. Dartmouth College
  4. Georgetown University
  5. Boston University
  6. University of Virginia
  7. Brown University
  8. Northwestern University
  9. University of Texas at Austin
  10. University of Southern California
  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 4%
  2. Stanford University 4%
  3. Harvard University 4%
  4. Columbia University 4%
  5. Princeton University 4%
  6. Yale University 5%
  7. University of Pennsylvania 6%
  8. Dartmouth College 6%
  9. University of Chicago 6%
  10. Duke University 6%
  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3 to 1
  2. Stanford University 4 to 1
  3. Yale University 4 to 1
  4. Princeton University 4 to 1
  5. Harvard University 5 to 1
  6. University of Chicago 5 to 1
  7. Columbia University 6 to 1
  8. Duke University 6 to 1
  9. Northwestern University 6 to 1
  10. Brown University 6 to 1
  1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $7,019
  2. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  3. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  4. University of Texas at Austin $11,752
  5. University of Virginia $16,547
  6. University of Michigan $16,865
  7. Harvard University $55,587
  8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology $55,878
  9. Princeton University $56,010
  10. Stanford University $56,169
  1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill $10,552
  2. University of California, Los Angeles $11,442
  3. University of California, Berkeley $11,442
  4. University of Texas at Austin $12,050
  5. University of Virginia $17,674
  6. University of Michigan $24,902
  7. Cornell University $29,500
  8. New York University $35,982
  9. University of Pennsylvania $38,732
  10. Yale University $45,700

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

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About English Bachelor’s Degrees

Mastering the English language has value well beyond the field of literature. Gaining greater depth, versatility and confidence with the English language will make you a better writer, a more confident speaker, and a more perceptive listener. These skills will pay dividends in fields such as public relations, marketing, teaching, and human resources, just to name a few.

In fact, the most influential literary scholars go on to achieve acclaim as bestselling authors, prominent professors, noted historians, and more. Today, top influencers in English are breaking new ground in historical fiction, graphic novels, poetry, and much more.

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Literature is an excellent major because it can provide a pathway into countless fields and career opportunities. If you’re looking for a well-paying and secure job, a literature degree is a great place to start. As an English major, you’ll be doing more than just reading literature. The primary objective of an English major is to achieve greater appreciation and understanding of the written word. This means you’ll learn how to deconstruct literature in search of meaning, character and culture; and to explore the innovative ways that language can be used as a form of expression. In short, you won’t be a passive participant in your reading. As an English major, you will learn to read actively, with thought, insight, and analysis. This means that literature majors bring strong communication, critical thinking, and creativity to a wide range of employment settings.

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Your concentration will determine many of the courses you’ll take as an English major. Likewise, you will be required to take a number of requisite courses on foundational topics such as Literary Critical Analysis and Comparative Literature. However, as an English major, you will also have the chance to develop your curriculum around the themes, cultural traditions, and literary periods that most interest you. Examples of traditional literature courses include:

  • Translating World Literature
  • Narrative Negotiations
  • Dreams and Literature
  • Children’s Literature
  • Creative Writing
  • Rhetoric and Composition
  • The Ancient Greek Hero
  • Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

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The English degree is actually quite versatile. Earning a degree in literature can qualify you for a number of stimulating jobs in both practical and creative fields. In some cases, you’ll get a chance to use your compositional and communication skills, whereas in other instances, you’ll use what you have learned to help others navigate the English language. The following are among the most popular jobs for literature majors:

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If you think a liberal arts college may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for a bachelor’s in English.

Best Research Universities for English Degrees

  1. #1

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at Harvard University

    Cost of Degree: $57,261
    Expenses: $26,277
    Starting Salary: $80,683
    Salary after 4 years: $119,783
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Harvard University English Major Concentrations:

    • English
    • Creative Writing
    • Comparative Literature
    Source
  2. #2

    Columbia University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    34K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at Columbia University

    Cost of Degree: $65,508
    Expenses: $19,958
    Starting Salary: $67,052
    Salary after 4 years: $99,547
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Columbia University English Major:

    • English and Comparative Literature
    Source
  3. #3

    Yale University

    New Haven , CT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at Yale University

    Cost of Degree: $62,250
    Expenses: $22,870
    Starting Salary: $72,156
    Salary after 4 years: $107,125
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Yale University English Major Concentrations:

    • Literature and Comparative Cultures
    • Intensive Language
    • Film
    • Literary Translation
    Source
  4. #4

    Stanford University

    Stanford , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

    Career Outlook for English degree at Stanford University

    Cost of Degree: $58,416
    Expenses: $23,746
    Starting Salary: $81,959
    Salary after 4 years: $121,678
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Stanford University English Emphases and Electives:

    • Literature
    • Literature and Philosophy
    • Lit in a Foreign Language
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Creative Writing
    Source
  5. #5

    Princeton University

    Princeton , NJ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/33

    Career Outlook for English degree at Princeton University

    Cost of Degree: $57,410
    Expenses: $23,005
    Starting Salary: $67,458
    Salary after 4 years: $100,150
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Princeton University English Major Tracks:

    • Creative Writing
    • Theater
    Source
  6. #6

    University of Chicago

    Chicago , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of Chicago

    Cost of Degree: $62,940
    Expenses: $22,596
    Starting Salary: $59,743
    Salary after 4 years: $88,697
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Chicago English Major:

    • English
    Source
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    46K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1420/32

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of California, Berkeley

    Cost of Degree: $14,395
    Expenses: $28,648
    Starting Salary: $46,682
    Salary after 4 years: $66,104
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    UC Berkeley English Major:

    • English
    Source
  8. #8

    New York University

    New York , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    60K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/32

    Career Outlook for English degree at New York University

    Cost of Degree: $58,168
    Expenses: $23,927
    Starting Salary: $45,591
    Salary after 4 years: $67,685
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    NYU English Major Tracks:

    • English Literature
    • Creative Writing
    • Dramatic Literature
    Source
  9. #9

    Brown University

    Providence , RI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at Brown University

    Cost of Degree: $65,046
    Expenses: $18,540
    Starting Salary: $51,681
    Salary after 4 years: $76,727
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Brown University English Major:

    • English
    Source
  10. #10

    Cornell University

    Ithaca , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1470/33

    Career Outlook for English degree at Cornell University

    Cost of Degree: $63,200
    Expenses: $19,996
    Starting Salary: $58,699
    Salary after 4 years: $87,147
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Cornell University English Major:

    • BA in English
    Source
  11. #11

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    31K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of Pennsylvania

    Cost of Degree: $63,452
    Expenses: $22,286
    Starting Salary: $76,332
    Salary after 4 years: $113,325
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Pennsylvania English Major Concentrations:

    • Creative Writing
    • Poetry and Poetics
    • Cinema and Media
    • Historical
    Source
  12. #12

    University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    50K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of Michigan

    Cost of Degree: $17,786
    Expenses: $16,820
    Starting Salary: $46,682
    Salary after 4 years: $66,104
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Michigan English Major:

    • BA in English
    Source
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    12K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/35

    Career Outlook for English degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $57,986
    Expenses: $21,864
    Starting Salary: $89,093
    Salary after 4 years: $132,270
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    MIT English Major:

    • BS in Literature
    Source
  14. #14

    Duke University

    Durham , NC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at Duke University

    Cost of Degree: $62,688
    Expenses: $20,061
    Starting Salary: $66,414
    Salary after 4 years: $98,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Duke University English Major:

    • BA in English
    Source
  15. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    47K

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of California, Los Angeles

    Cost of Degree: $13,401
    Expenses: $23,579
    Starting Salary: $43,255
    Salary after 4 years: $61,251
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    UCLA English Major Concentration:

    • Creative Writing
    Source
  16. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of Southern California

    Cost of Degree: $64,726
    Expenses: $20,338
    Starting Salary: $51,507
    Salary after 4 years: $76,468
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    USC English Major Concentrations:

    • Literature
    • Creative Writing
    Source
  17. #17

    Northwestern University

    Evanston , IL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    27K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for English degree at Northwestern University

    Cost of Degree: $63,468
    Expenses: $25,926
    Starting Salary: $54,175
    Salary after 4 years: $80,430
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Northwestern University English Major Concentrations:

    • Literature Studies
    • Creative Writing
    Source
  18. #18

    Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Career Outlook for English degree at Johns Hopkins University

    Cost of Degree: $60,480
    Expenses: $20,320
    Starting Salary: $51,797
    Salary after 4 years: $76,899
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    JHU English Major:

    • BA in English
    Source
  19. #19

    Dartmouth College

    Hanover , NH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    6%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for English degree at Dartmouth College

    Cost of Degree: $62,430
    Expenses: $21,144
    Starting Salary: $63,920
    Salary after 4 years: $94,897
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Dartmouth College English Major Concentrations:

    • Creative Writing
    Source
  20. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    29%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/29

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of Texas at Austin

    Cost of Degree: $11,698
    Expenses: $18,548
    Starting Salary: $43,669
    Salary after 4 years: $61,836
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    UT Austin English Major Concentrations:

    • Creative Writing
    • Cultural Studies
    Source
  21. #21

    Georgetown University

    Washington , DC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    23K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1465/33

    Career Outlook for English degree at Georgetown University

    Cost of Degree: $62,051
    Expenses: $22,644
    Starting Salary: $72,620
    Salary after 4 years: $107,814
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Georgetown University English Major:

    • Englsih
    Source
  22. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/30

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Cost of Degree: $8,989
    Expenses: $16,260
    Starting Salary: $40,655
    Salary after 4 years: $57,569
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    UNC English Major:

    • BA in English and Comparative Literature Major
    Source
  23. #23

    University of Virginia

    Charlottesville , VA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    21%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    28K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Career Outlook for English degree at University of Virginia

    Cost of Degree: $21,425
    Expenses: $17,790
    Starting Salary: $46,919
    Salary after 4 years: $66,438
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Virginia English Major Concentrations:

    • Literary Prose
    • Poetry Writing
    Source
  24. #24

    Boston University

    Boston , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1405/32

    Career Outlook for English degree at Boston University

    Cost of Degree: $62,360
    Expenses: $20,400
    Starting Salary: $44,025
    Salary after 4 years: $65,360
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    BU English Major:

    • BA in English
    Source

    Boston University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Undergrad Completion Program
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  25. #25

    Tufts University

    Medford , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/33

    Career Outlook for English degree at Tufts University

    Cost of Degree: $65,222
    Expenses: $19,378
    Starting Salary: $59,917
    Salary after 4 years: $88,955
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Tufts University English Major Concentration:

    • Creative Writing
    Source

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. Starting Salary*: $28,223
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $39,964
  • * denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary1.14%$69,035
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education1.03%$61,619
Proofreaders and Copy Markers-4.17%$45,885

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$42,191$61,170$92,879

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 New York5% higher than average$80,873
#3 Oregon11% higher than average$85,325
#4 Utah4% higher than average$69,470
#5 Connecticut18% higher than average$84,385
#6 Vermont13% higher than average$79,130

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$69,035
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61,619
Proofreaders and Copy Markers$45,885

Go to all Research Universities for English programs

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