2026 Best English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best English Language Literature master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1675 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best English Language Literature master's degree schools in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Stanford University
Wake Forest University came in at #2 on this year's English Language Literature ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Wake Forest University
The strong English Language Literature programs at Yale University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $14,357. More on Yale University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top choices 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. The median English Language Literature program debt is $19,500. More 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 #5 spot. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $17,921. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Duke University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $15,362. Get the full Duke University report
University Of Washington Bothell Campus did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Bothell Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on University Of Washington Bothell Campus
St Marys University ranked #8 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. The six-year graduation rate is 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. Read the full report on St Marys University
Monmouth University landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit school based in West Long Branch, NJ. Monmouth University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $27,000. More on Monmouth University
Villanova University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit school based in Villanova, PA. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $26,899. Read the full report on Villanova University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Johns Hopkins University English Language Literature students take on a median of $13,728 in debt. More on Johns Hopkins University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park English Language Literature students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $19,500. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Chicago came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $15,854. See the full University Of Chicago profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
The College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #16 position. This public school is set in Ewing, NJ. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read the full report on The College Of New Jersey
Middlebury College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Middlebury College is a private not-for-profit school based in Middlebury, VT. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,600. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $19,092. Get the full Middlebury College report
Trinity College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. The median English Language Literature program debt is $22,592. More on Trinity College
Texas Christian University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete their English Language Literature program here. See the full Texas Christian University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus English Language Literature students take on a median of $17,878 in debt. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Marquette University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about Marquette University
Northwestern University landed the #22 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. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,564 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about Northwestern University
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #23 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. Students borrow a median of $13,420 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of Houston Clear Lake did well this year, earning the #24 position. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public school based in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Read more about University Of Houston Clear Lake
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Rest of the Top 50 Best English Language Literature Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Dayton came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,140. University Of Dayton English Language Literature students take on a median of $24,398 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Dayton
Georgetown University placed #27 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. See the full Georgetown University profile
Iowa State University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their English Language Literature program here. More on Iowa State University
Seton Hall University placed #29 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $25,139. Get the full Seton Hall University report
Michigan State University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. The median English Language Literature program debt is $25,738. Read more about Michigan State University
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. The median English Language Literature program debt is $23,245. Get the full Clemson University report
Loyola Marymount University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Loyola Marymount University English Language Literature students take on a median of $22,565 in debt. Read the full report on Loyola Marymount University
Emory University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. The median English Language Literature program debt is $21,000. Get the full Emory University report
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $20,017. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Northeastern University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Located in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northeastern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $27,000. Get the full Northeastern University report
University Of Iowa placed #36 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. This public school is set in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical English Language Literature student debt is $24,738. Get the full University Of Iowa report
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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 more about Texas A And M University College Station
Rice University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Rice University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. The median English Language Literature program debt is $11,904. See the full Rice University profile
University Of Rochester landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Located in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. University Of Rochester English Language Literature students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. More on University Of Rochester
Duquesne University placed #40 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. About 77% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Graduates carry a median of $26,098 in student loans. Read more about Duquesne University
Princeton University did well this year, earning the #41 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. More on Princeton University
University Of Dallas came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Irving, TX, University Of Dallas is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Students borrow a median of $20,247 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about University Of Dallas
National University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Set in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. The median English Language Literature program debt is $26,437. More on National University
University Of Northern Iowa did well this year, earning the #44 position. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. University Of Northern Iowa English Language Literature students take on a median of $24,274 in debt. See the full University Of Northern Iowa profile
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. 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. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Grand Valley State University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The median English Language Literature program debt is $25,137. More on Grand Valley State University
Brown University placed #47 among English Language Literature schools in the United States. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. The median English Language Literature program debt is $10,615. Get the full Brown University report
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their English Language Literature program here. Read more about Harvard University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best English Language Literature schools. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus English Language Literature students take on a median of $26,733 in debt. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
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 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 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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