2026 Best English Language Literature Schools
Looking for the best English Language Literature programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 1675 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed 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 English Language Literature Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Manhattan School Of Computer Technology this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brooklyn, NY. Manhattan School Of Computer Technology English Language Literature students take on a median of $4,900 in debt. More on Manhattan School Of Computer Technology
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about Stanford University
The strong English Language Literature programs at Colgate University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Colgate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Hamilton, NY. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. Colgate University English Language Literature students take on a median of $15,875 in debt. See the full Colgate University profile
Wake Forest University came in at #4 on this year's English Language Literature ranking in the United States. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $19,500. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
The strong English Language Literature programs at University Of Notre Dame earned it the #5 place in the United States. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. University Of Notre Dame English Language Literature students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Virginia Military Institute ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Set in Lexington, VA, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Virginia Military Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Get the full Virginia Military Institute report
Yale University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. The median English Language Literature program debt is $14,357. See the full Yale University profile
Dartmouth College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $20,407. Read the full report on Dartmouth College
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Santa Clara University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Duke University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. 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. Graduates carry a median of $15,362 in student loans. Read the full report on Duke University
Vassar College placed #12 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $19,000. Read the full report on Vassar College
Lafayette College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. 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 average $64,648. Lafayette College English Language Literature students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. Read the full report on Lafayette College
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $16,500. More on Georgetown University
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #15 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. University Of Washington Bothell Campus English Language Literature students take on a median of $15,636 in debt. More on University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Gettysburg College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Gettysburg, PA, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gettysburg College graduates 82% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,640. Gettysburg College English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,724 in debt. Get the full Gettysburg College report
St Marys University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in San Antonio, TX, St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. St Marys University graduates 59% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on St Marys University
Trinity College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. Graduates carry a median of $22,592 in student loans. Read more about Trinity College
Monmouth University did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Get the full Monmouth University report
University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Wellesley College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Get the full Wellesley College report
University Of Chicago came in at #22 in this year's ranking. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. University Of Chicago English Language Literature students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Villanova University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $26,899. Read the full report on Villanova University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $15,000. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best English Language Literature Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Johns Hopkins University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. 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%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,728 in student loans. More on Johns Hopkins University
The College Of New Jersey placed #27 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full The College Of New Jersey profile
Texas Christian University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $22,960. Read more about Texas Christian University
Hobart William Smith Colleges came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Geneva, NY, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. Hobart William Smith Colleges posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,928. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Hobart William Smith Colleges
Mcdaniel College placed #30 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. 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 run about $52,081. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $22,250. Read the full report on Mcdaniel College
Marquette University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Marquette University is a private not-for-profit school based in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Marquette University
Williams College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Students borrow a median of $13,125 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Williams College
Northwestern University landed the #33 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $15,564 in student loans. See the full Northwestern University profile
Middlebury College placed #34 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Middlebury, VT, Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Middlebury College English Language Literature students take on a median of $19,092 in debt. See the full Middlebury College profile
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,420 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Loras College placed #37 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Located in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. Loras College posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $26,528. Read the full report on Loras College
Michigan State University placed #38 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $25,738. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Saint Johns University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Collegeville, MN. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $55,816 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,646 in student loans. More on Saint Johns University
Brown University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $10,615. Read the full report on Brown University
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. University Of Houston Clear Lake English Language Literature students take on a median of $15,875 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Houston Clear Lake
University Of Dayton placed #42 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $24,398. Read the full report on University Of Dayton
University Of Iowa placed #43 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,738 to complete their English Language Literature program here. See the full University Of Iowa profile
University Of California Berkeley came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. The median English Language Literature program debt is $14,016. More on University Of California Berkeley
Occidental College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Occidental College graduates 81% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,274. Occidental College English Language Literature students take on a median of $22,967 in debt. Read the full report on Occidental College
Augustana College South Dakota placed #46 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit school based in Sioux Falls, SD. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Augustana College South Dakota
Boston College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. 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 average $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $18,832 in student loans. See the full Boston College profile
College Of Saint Benedict did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,756. College Of Saint Benedict English Language Literature students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on College Of Saint Benedict
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $23,245. Get the full Clemson University report
Best English Language Literature Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best English Language Literature Certificate Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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 1675 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.