2026 Best English Language Literature Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best English Language Literature doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1675 schools 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 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 English Language Literature Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. The median English Language Literature program debt is $10,492. Read more about Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Out of the 1675 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #3 spot. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Out of the 1675 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Yale University landed the #4 spot. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Yale University
A rank of #5 makes Duke University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $15,362 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about Duke University
University Of Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their English Language Literature program here. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Carnegie Mellon University English Language Literature students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. More on Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $17,878 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Texas Christian University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. See the full Texas Christian University profile
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #11 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school based in Indiana, PA. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus English Language Literature students take on a median of $27,280 in debt. Read more about Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Emory University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Set in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $21,000. See the full Emory University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #14 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $15,000. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Johns Hopkins University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. The median English Language Literature program debt is $13,728. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Vanderbilt University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Vanderbilt University English Language Literature students take on a median of $13,420 in debt. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Northwestern University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $15,564. More on Northwestern University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #18 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. The median English Language Literature program debt is $21,500. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Marquette University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,170. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $26,000. See the full Marquette University profile
Michigan State University placed #20 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $25,738 in student loans. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Iowa State University placed #21 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $24,000. See the full Iowa State University profile
Duquesne University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,098 in student loans. Get the full Duquesne University report
Rice University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. The median English Language Literature program debt is $11,904. More on Rice University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #24 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median English Language Literature program debt is $21,330. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison English Language Literature students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Rest of the Top 50 Best English Language Literature Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of California Berkeley came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $14,016. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #27 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,162 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Brown University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Brown University English Language Literature students take on a median of $10,615 in debt. More on Brown University
Princeton University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $10,888. Get the full Princeton University report
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. The median English Language Literature program debt is $25,500. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Northeastern University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Northeastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Northeastern University
Tufts University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. The median English Language Literature program debt is $14,670. Read the full report on Tufts University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. The median English Language Literature program debt is $26,733. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Boston College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Boston College English Language Literature students take on a median of $18,832 in debt. See the full Boston College profile
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #36 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia English Language Literature students take on a median of $23,182 in debt. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of California San Diego came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $17,041. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
University Of Rochester placed #38 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Located in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Get the full University Of Rochester report
Harvard University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $16,616. Get the full Harvard University report
University Of Dallas landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Irving, TX, University Of Dallas is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Graduates carry a median of $20,247 in student loans. Read more about University Of Dallas
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. 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, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Texas Tech University English Language Literature students take on a median of $21,462 in debt. Read more about Texas Tech University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,303 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
Old Dominion University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. The median English Language Literature program debt is $26,103. See the full Old Dominion University profile
Illinois State University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. See the full Illinois State University profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. The median English Language Literature program debt is $23,950. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Cornell University placed #47 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $16,275 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Get the full Cornell University report
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $23,221. Get the full George Mason University report
George Washington University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. The median English Language Literature program debt is $23,250. See the full George Washington University profile
Boston University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Boston University English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,395 in debt. Read more about Boston 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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 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.