2026 Best Literature Schools
Looking for the best Literature programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 120 colleges 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 reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Literature Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Duke University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Duke University Literature students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. Read the full report on Duke University
You'll be in good company at Harvard University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Harvard University Literature students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. See the full Harvard University profile
American University came in at #3 on this year's Literature ranking in the United States. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. American University Literature students take on a median of $26,105 in debt. See the full American University profile
The strong Literature programs at Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Literature program here. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
A rank of #5 makes Rowan University one of the top choices in the United States. Rowan University is a public school based in Glassboro, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical Literature student debt is $24,488. More on Rowan University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #6 among Literature schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. University Of California Los Angeles Literature students take on a median of $13,093 in debt. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
New York University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located 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%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Literature students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. See the full New York University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located 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 run about $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical Literature student debt is $27,000. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
George Mason University placed #9 among Literature schools in the United States. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Literature program here. More on George Mason University
Pacific University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Forest Grove, OR. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,374. Typical Literature student debt is $26,170. See the full Pacific University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg placed #11 among Literature schools in the United States. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public school based in Greensburg, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg
Hamilton College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit school based in Clinton, NY. Hamilton College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. Hamilton College Literature students take on a median of $16,131 in debt. See the full Hamilton College profile
Stony Brook University placed #13 among Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in Stony Brook, NY. About 76% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical Literature student debt is $20,537. More on Stony Brook University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Literature students take on a median of $23,146 in debt. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Calvin College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,350. Calvin College Literature students take on a median of $22,707 in debt. See the full Calvin College profile
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Based in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete their Literature program here. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in Johnstown, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown Literature students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Lindenwood University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Set in Saint Charles, MO, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical Literature student debt is $28,663. Read the full report on Lindenwood University
York College Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in York, PA, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. York College Pennsylvania Literature students take on a median of $26,537 in debt. Read the full report on York College Pennsylvania
Cornell College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Cornell College is a private not-for-profit school based in Mount Vernon, IA. About 62% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Literature program here. See the full Cornell College profile
Central Michigan University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Mount Pleasant, MI. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. The median Literature program debt is $27,857. More on Central Michigan University
The New School landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. About 70% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. The New School Literature students take on a median of $23,750 in debt. Get the full The New School report
Cuny Hunter College placed #25 among Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. The median Literature program debt is $11,091. Read more about Cuny Hunter College
Eastern Michigan University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Based in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Read the full report on Eastern Michigan University
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Loyola University New Orleans is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. Loyola University New Orleans graduates 59% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. Typical Literature student debt is $26,606. See the full Loyola University New Orleans profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Literature Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Bennington College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Bennington College is a private not-for-profit school based in Bennington, VT. Bennington College posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. Typical Literature student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Bennington College
Grand Canyon University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Literature program here. More on Grand Canyon University
Suny At Purchase College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Suny At Purchase College is a public school based in Purchase, NY. Suny At Purchase College posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Literature program here. See the full Suny At Purchase College profile
Judson University placed #29 among Literature schools in the United States. More on Judson University
Wilberforce University did well this year, earning the #30 position. See the full Wilberforce University profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus did well this year, earning the #31 position. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Indiana University Northwest placed #32 among Literature schools in the United States. More on Indiana University Northwest
Bard College At Simons Rock placed #33 among Literature schools in the United States. Get the full Bard College At Simons Rock report
Boise State University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Boise State University
Indiana University South Bend came in at #35 in this year's ranking. More on Indiana University South Bend
Scottsdale Community College placed #36 among Literature schools in the United States. Get the full Scottsdale Community College report
Liberty University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Liberty University report
Southern Adventist University placed #38 among Literature schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southern Adventist University
Youngstown State University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Youngstown State University
Allegheny College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on Allegheny College
Phoenix College
Phoenix College placed #41 among Literature schools in the United States. See the full Phoenix College profile
Ohio Northern University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Ohio Northern University
Davidson College
Davidson College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. See the full Davidson College profile
Johnson University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. See the full Johnson University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Indiana University East came in at #46 in this year's ranking. See the full Indiana University East profile
Pace University New York ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Get the full Pace University New York report
South Mountain Community College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Read more about South Mountain Community College
New Mexico State University Dona Ana did well this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Best Literature Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Literature Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Literature Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Literature Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Literature Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Literature Master’s Degree Schools
- Best 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 120 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.