2026 Best Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Literature bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 120 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
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. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Get the full Duke University report
A rank of #2 makes American University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical Literature student debt is $26,105. Get the full American University report
Out of the 120 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of California Los Angeles landed the #3 spot. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,093 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
New York University came in at #4 on this year's Literature ranking in the United States. Based 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 run about $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Literature program here. Read more about New York University
You'll be in good company at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical Literature student debt is $27,000. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pacific University placed #6 among Literature schools in the United States. Located in Forest Grove, OR, Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pacific University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,374. Graduates carry a median of $26,170 in student loans. See the full Pacific University profile
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Greensburg, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,710, compared with $26,584 for out-of-state students. The median Literature program debt is $27,000. More on University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg
Hamilton College landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. Graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. See the full Hamilton College profile
Calvin College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Grand Rapids, MI. About 74% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete their Literature program here. Get the full Calvin College report
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school based in Mankato, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Minnesota State University Mankato Literature students take on a median of $25,260 in debt. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public school based in Johnstown, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Literature program here. More on University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Lindenwood University placed #12 among Literature schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Charles, MO. About 49% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Read the full report on Lindenwood University
York College Pennsylvania placed #13 among Literature schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in York, PA. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. See the full York College Pennsylvania profile
Cornell College placed #14 among Literature schools in the United States. Based in Mount Vernon, IA, Cornell College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Cornell College Literature students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Cornell College
The New School came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. The New School posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,730. The New School Literature students take on a median of $23,750 in debt. Read more about The New School
Eastern Michigan University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ypsilanti, MI. Eastern Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Get the full Eastern Michigan University report
Loyola University New Orleans did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Orleans, LA. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. The median Literature program debt is $26,606. Read the full report on Loyola University New Orleans
Bennington College placed #18 among Literature schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bennington, VT. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,262. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Bennington College
Grand Canyon University placed #19 among Literature schools in the United States. Set 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 run about $18,508. Grand Canyon University Literature students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Get the full Grand Canyon University report
Suny At Purchase College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Set in Purchase, NY, Suny At Purchase College is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. The median Literature program debt is $25,000. More on Suny At Purchase College
Andrew College
Andrew College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Read more about Andrew College
Tyler Junior College placed #22 among Literature schools in the United States. More on Tyler Junior College
Judson University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. More on Judson University
George Fox University did well this year, earning the #24 position. See the full George Fox University profile
Indiana University East placed #25 among Literature schools in the United States. See the full Indiana University East profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Antioch College
Antioch College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Antioch College
Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. More on Sewanee The University Of The South
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #28 among Literature schools in the United States. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
Rio Salado College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on Rio Salado College
Hamline University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Read the full report on Hamline University
Boise State University placed #31 among Literature schools in the United States. See the full Boise State University profile
Grove City College landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Grove City College
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on George Mason University
Old Dominion University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Get the full Old Dominion University report
Suny At Albany
Suny At Albany landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Suny At Albany
Dominican University did well this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Dominican University profile
Miami University Oxford landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. More on Miami University Oxford
Cuny Hunter College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. More on Cuny Hunter College
Walla Walla University placed #39 among Literature schools in the United States. Read the full report on Walla Walla University
Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. Read the full report on Illinois Wesleyan University
Saint Martins University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. More on Saint Martins University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
George Washington University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on George Washington University
Scottsdale Community College placed #45 among Literature schools in the United States. More on Scottsdale Community College
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Get the full Suny Westchester Community College report
Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Harvard University profile
Johnson University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Literature schools. See the full Johnson University profile
Michigan State University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Read more about Michigan State University
Related Literature Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Literature Schools (All Levels)
- Best Literature Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Literature Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Literature Associate’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. Rankings consider 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).