2026 Best General English Language Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General English Language Literature bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1514 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General English Language Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Stanford University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Stanford University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. See the full Stanford University profile
Colgate University came in at #2 on this year's General English Language Literature ranking in the United States. Based in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Colgate University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $15,875 in debt. Read more about Colgate University
The strong General English Language Literature programs at Wake Forest University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full Wake Forest University report
A rank of #4 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Out of the 1514 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Virginia Military Institute landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Lexington, VA. Virginia Military Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Virginia Military Institute General English Language Literature students take on a median of $22,309 in debt. Get the full Virginia Military Institute report
Yale University placed #6 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Get the full Yale University report
Dartmouth College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Dartmouth College General English Language Literature students take on a median of $20,407 in debt. Read the full report on Dartmouth College
Georgetown University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $16,500. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Santa Clara University placed #9 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Duke University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $15,362. More on Duke University
Vassar College placed #11 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Vassar College is a private not-for-profit school based in Poughkeepsie, NY. Vassar College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Vassar College General English Language Literature students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. More on Vassar College
Lafayette College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. Lafayette College General English Language Literature students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. Get the full Lafayette College report
Gettysburg College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Gettysburg, PA, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gettysburg College posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,640. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $26,724. More on Gettysburg College
Trinity College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hartford, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,770. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $22,592. Read the full report on Trinity College
St Marys University placed #15 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Antonio, TX. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,434. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. See the full St Marys University profile
Wellesley College did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. More on Wellesley College
Monmouth University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Located in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. See the full Monmouth University profile
University Of Chicago came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Villanova University placed #19 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Villanova University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,899 in debt. Read the full report on Villanova University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $15,000. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 in this year's ranking. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $19,500. More on University Of Pennsylvania
National University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $26,437. More on National University
The College Of New Jersey came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. The College Of New Jersey General English Language Literature students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
Hobart William Smith Colleges did well this year, earning the #24 position. Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit school based in Geneva, NY. Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,928 in tuition and fees. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $27,000. More on Hobart William Smith Colleges
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Rest of the Top 50 Best General English Language Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Texas Christian University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $22,960. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
Fairfield University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fairfield, CT. Fairfield University graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Fairfield University
Michigan State University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $25,443. See the full Michigan State University profile
Mcdaniel College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Westminster, MD, Mcdaniel College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mcdaniel College graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Read more about Mcdaniel College
Williams College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Graduates carry a median of $13,125 in student loans. Get the full Williams College report
Northwestern University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $15,564. More on Northwestern University
Marquette University did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $24,122. Read more about Marquette University
Vanderbilt University placed #33 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $13,420. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Loras College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. Loras College graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,824. Graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. More on Loras College
Brown University did well this year, earning the #35 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Brown University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $13,500 in debt. Read the full report on Brown University
Johns Hopkins University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Johns Hopkins University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Saint Johns University placed #37 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Collegeville, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,816. Saint Johns University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,646 in debt. Read the full report on Saint Johns University
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #38 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. More on University Of Houston Clear Lake
University Of Dayton ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Located in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $24,398. More on University Of Dayton
University Of Maryland College Park placed #40 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park General English Language Literature students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Boston College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $18,832. More on Boston College
Occidental College did well this year, earning the #42 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Occidental College posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,274. Graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans. Read more about Occidental College
New York University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $22,625. Read more about New York University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign General English Language Literature students take on a median of $20,961 in debt. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California Berkeley placed #45 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $13,500. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Augustana College South Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Augustana College South Dakota General English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. More on Augustana College South Dakota
Texas A And M University College Station placed #47 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station General English Language Literature students take on a median of $19,937 in debt. More on Texas A And M University College Station
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $21,500. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #49 in this year's ranking. College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Joseph, MN. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,756. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $27,000. More on College Of Saint Benedict
Grand Valley State University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $28,570. Get the full Grand Valley State University report
Related General English Language Literature Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best General English Language Literature Schools (All Levels)
- Best General English Language Literature Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General English Language Literature Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General English Language Literature Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best General English Language Literature Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General English Language Literature Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1514 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).