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Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region

121 Colleges
$28,218 Avg Salary
$24,340 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best English Language & Literature School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, English language and literature was ranked #17 in the country. In fact 54,635 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 121 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best English Language & Literature Colleges.

Top 15% Best English Language & Literature Schools

#1

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

Our 2023 rankings named Wake Forest University the best school in the Southeast Region for English language and literature students. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem.

While working on their degree, English language and literature majors at Wake Forest University accumulate an average of around $21,500 in student debt.

Full English Language & Literature at Wake Forest University Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Virginia Military Institute. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the distant town of Lexington, VMI is a public school with a small student population.

Full English Language & Literature at Virginia Military Institute Report

#3

Duke University

Durham, NC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region list. Duke is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham.

Full English Language & Literature at Duke University Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that English language and literature majors at University of Virginia take out is $14,026.

Read More…

#5

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.

On average, English language and literature graduates from Vanderbilt take out $15,114 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#6

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best English language and literature programs. Clemson is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Clemson.

After completing their degree, English language and literature graduates from Clemson carry an average student debtload of $23,250. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $240.

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#7

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

William & Mary came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, English language and literature majors at William & Mary accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at William & Mary

#8

The Creative Circus

Atlanta, GA

With a ranking of #8, The Creative Circus did quite well on this year’s best schools for English language and literature students. Located in the large city of Atlanta, The Creative Circus is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

English Language & Literature majors at The Creative Circus take out an average of $28,334 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#9

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Emory is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.

The average amount in student loans that English language and literature majors at Emory take out is $21,000.

Full English Language & Literature at Emory University Report

#10

Augusta University

Augusta, GA

Augusta University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best English language and literature programs. Augusta University is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Augusta.

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#11

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best English language and literature programs. JMU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Harrisonburg.

On average, English language and literature graduates from JMU take out $19,203 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $327, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at James Madison University

#12

Wofford College

Spartanburg, SC

With a ranking of #12, Wofford College did quite well on this year’s best schools for English language and literature students. Wofford is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Spartanburg.

While working on their degree, English language and literature majors at Wofford accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.

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With a ranking of #13, American Public University System did quite well on this year’s best schools for English language and literature students. Located in the fringe town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that English language and literature majors at American Military University take out is $36,334.

Read More…

#14

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

With a ranking of #14, Auburn University did quite well on this year’s best schools for English language and literature students. Located in the small city of Auburn, Auburn is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that English language and literature majors at Auburn take out is $25,000.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Auburn University

Sewanee - The University of the South landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best English language and literature programs. Sewanee is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee.

English Language & Literature majors at Sewanee take out an average of $21,350 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at Sewanee - The University of the South

#16

Randolph - Macon College

Ashland, VA

Randolph - Macon College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best English language and literature programs. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph - Macon is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

English Language & Literature majors at Randolph - Macon take out an average of $26,961 in student loans while working on their egree.

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a fairly large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill.

On average, English language and literature graduates from UNC Chapel Hill take out $14,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on English Language & Literature at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#18

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best English language and literature programs. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that English language and literature majors at Virginia Tech take out is $19,500.

Full English Language & Literature at Virginia Tech Report

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for English Language & Literature students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best English Language & Literature Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
19 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
20 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
21 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
22 Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA
23 Belmont University Nashville, TN
24 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

Best English Language & Literature Colleges by State

Explore the best English language and literature colleges for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 1,480
West Virginia 288
South Carolina 590
Florida 2,381
Virginia 1,778
Arkansas 411
Mississippi 331
Louisiana 572
Alabama 640
Kentucky 523
Georgia 1,179
Tennessee 834

English Language & Literature Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
General English Literature 40,481
Writing Studies 12,529
English Literature (Other) 942
Literature 683

Majors Similar to English Language & Literature

Related Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 556,813
Visual & Performing Arts 149,215
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 33,333
Theology & Religious Vocations 27,459
Philosophy & Religious Studies 19,993

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Mike Hazard.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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