2026 Best English Language Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best English Language Literature bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1675 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
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. Stanford University English Language Literature students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Get the full Stanford University report
A rank of #2 makes Colgate University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,306. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Colgate University
A rank of #3 makes Wake Forest University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. The median English Language Literature program debt is $19,500. Get the full Wake Forest University report
University Of Notre Dame came in at #4 on this year's English Language Literature ranking in the United States. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $19,500. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
The strong English Language Literature programs at Virginia Military Institute earned it the #5 place in the United States. Virginia Military Institute is a public school based in Lexington, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. The median English Language Literature program debt is $22,309. More on Virginia Military Institute
Yale University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. See the full Yale University profile
Dartmouth College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Dartmouth College English Language Literature students take on a median of $20,407 in debt. More on Dartmouth College
Georgetown University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Santa Clara University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Santa Clara University English Language Literature students take on a median of $20,144 in debt. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Duke University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $15,362. More on Duke University
Vassar College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Vassar College
Lafayette College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Easton, PA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,648. The median English Language Literature program debt is $16,500. See the full Lafayette College profile
American University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $26,105 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on American University
Gettysburg College placed #14 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit school based in Gettysburg, PA. Gettysburg College graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $66,640. Graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. See the full Gettysburg College profile
Trinity College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Trinity College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hartford, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $70,770 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $22,592. Get the full Trinity College report
St Marys University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in San Antonio, TX, St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. St Marys University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,434. St Marys University English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. See the full St Marys University profile
Monmouth University did well this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in West Long Branch, NJ. Monmouth University graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. The median English Language Literature program debt is $27,000. Read more about Monmouth University
Wellesley College placed #18 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wellesley, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Wellesley College English Language Literature students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Read the full report on Wellesley College
University Of Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Villanova University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Get the full Villanova University report
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $23,529. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median English Language Literature program debt is $15,000. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. University Of Pennsylvania English Language Literature students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
National University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $26,437 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Get the full National University report
The College Of New Jersey ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Rest of the Top 50 Best English Language Literature Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Hobart William Smith Colleges landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Geneva, NY, Hobart William Smith Colleges 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 $64,928. The median English Language Literature program debt is $27,000. Get the full Hobart William Smith Colleges report
Texas Christian University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $22,960. More on Texas Christian University
Fairfield University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Fairfield, CT, Fairfield University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. The median English Language Literature program debt is $27,000. More on Fairfield University
Mcdaniel College landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. 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. Mcdaniel College English Language Literature students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. See the full Mcdaniel College profile
Johns Hopkins University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,728 in student loans. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Marquette University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. 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. Get the full Marquette University report
Williams College placed #32 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Williamstown, MA, Williams College 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 $68,560. Williams College English Language Literature students take on a median of $13,125 in debt. More on Williams College
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,420 in student loans. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Northwestern University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. 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. More on Northwestern University
Michigan State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,738 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Michigan State University
University Of Iowa landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. The median English Language Literature program debt is $24,738. More on University Of Iowa
Loras College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Dubuque, IA, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. Loras College graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. See the full Loras College profile
Saint Johns University placed #38 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Located in Collegeville, MN, Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $55,816 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,646 in student loans. Get the full Saint Johns University report
Brown University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Brown University English Language Literature students take on a median of $10,615 in debt. See the full Brown University profile
University Of Houston Clear Lake did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public institution. University Of Houston Clear Lake posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. The median English Language Literature program debt is $15,875. More on University Of Houston Clear Lake
University Of Dayton came in at #41 in this year's ranking. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Graduates carry a median of $24,398 in student loans. More on University Of Dayton
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in College Park, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Middlebury College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Set in Middlebury, VT, Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit institution. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $19,092. See the full Middlebury College profile
Boston College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $18,832 in student loans. Read more about Boston College
University Of California Berkeley placed #45 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,016 in student loans. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile
Occidental College placed #46 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Students from in state pay about $66,274 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $22,967. Get the full Occidental College report
Arizona State University Skysong did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. The median English Language Literature program debt is $29,917. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based 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. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $26,000. See the full Augustana College South Dakota profile
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #49 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $21,330 in student loans. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Clemson University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $23,245. Read the full report on Clemson University
Related English Language Literature Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best English Language Literature Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools
- Best 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 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).
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