2026 Best General English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General English Language Literature master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1514 institutions 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $10,492. Read the full report on Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes Wake Forest University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full Wake Forest University report
Yale University came in at #3 on this year's General English Language Literature ranking in the United States. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Yale University
Out of the 1514 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Notre Dame landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. 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, Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #5 spot. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Duke University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $15,362. See the full Duke University profile
St Marys University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in San Antonio, TX, St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. St Marys University graduates 59% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,434 in tuition and fees. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $26,000. More on St Marys University
Monmouth University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Long Branch, NJ. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Monmouth University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Monmouth University report
Villanova University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Get the full Villanova University report
University Of Maryland College Park placed #10 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $19,500. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Chicago placed #12 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More on University Of Chicago
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $15,000. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
The College Of New Jersey landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $25,000. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Johns Hopkins University placed #15 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $13,426. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Northwestern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $15,564. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Middlebury College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Middlebury, VT. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. Graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Read more about Middlebury College
Texas Christian University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Get the full Texas Christian University report
National University placed #19 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. National University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. National University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,437 in debt. Read more about National University
Vanderbilt University placed #20 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,420 in student loans. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Marquette University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. More on Marquette University
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #22 in this year's ranking. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public school based in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $15,875. Get the full University Of Houston Clear Lake report
University Of Dayton did well this year, earning the #23 position. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Graduates carry a median of $24,398 in student loans. Get the full University Of Dayton report
Georgetown University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $16,500. See the full Georgetown University profile
Seton Hall University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit school based in South Orange, NJ. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Students borrow a median of $25,139 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Get the full Seton Hall University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best General English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
New York University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $22,625. More on New York University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $18,017. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Loyola Marymount University did well this year, earning the #28 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $22,565 in student loans. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
Clemson University placed #29 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Clemson University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $23,123 in debt. More on Clemson University
Emory University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full Emory University profile
Purdue University Main Campus placed #31 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Northeastern University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Northeastern University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Northeastern University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station General English Language Literature students take on a median of $19,937 in debt. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Rice University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $11,904. See the full Rice University profile
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
University Of Rochester placed #36 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $21,000. Read more about University Of Rochester
Duquesne University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,098 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Read more about Duquesne University
Princeton University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Princeton University General English Language Literature students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. See the full Princeton University profile
Iowa State University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Get the full Iowa State University report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #40 position. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $20,961. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Dallas did well this year, earning the #41 position. University Of Dallas is a private not-for-profit school based in Irving, TX. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Typical General English Language Literature student debt is $20,247. Read more about University Of Dallas
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. Based in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $24,274. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best General English Language Literature schools. This public school is set in Indiana, PA. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete their General English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Grand Valley State University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located 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 run about $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $28,570. Read the full report on Grand Valley State University
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison General English Language Literature students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus General English Language Literature students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Tufts University placed #47 among General English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $14,670 in student loans. See the full Tufts University profile
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. More on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $20,500. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #50 in this year's ranking. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. The median General English Language Literature program debt is $23,000. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General English Language Literature Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General English Language Literature Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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).
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