Best colleges for English Language and Literature/Letters in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-San Diego, Mt San Antonio College and Laney College award the most English Language and Literature/Letters degrees and certificates in California: 78, 34 and 26 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 California colleges offer English Language and Literature/Letters and award 228 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The English Language and Literature/Letters program offers students a comprehensive exploration of language, literature, and communication. This program is designed for individuals interested in understanding the intricacies of English…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,788 | 78 | 86% | — | $19,281 |
Colleges awarding the most English Language and Literature/Letters degrees in California
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 78 | $21,788 |
| 2 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 3 | Laney College Oakland Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of California-Irvine Irvine Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 5 | Butte College Oroville Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 6 | Southwestern College Chula Vista Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | Saint Mary's College of California Moraga Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 California colleges offering English Language and Literature/Letters
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shasta College | Redding | Public | 48 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary (SOC 25-1123).
Top skills
What English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing English Language and Literature/Letters programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most English Language and Literature/Letters degrees?+
University of California-San Diego (78 graduates a year), Mt San Antonio College (34 graduates a year) and Laney College (26 graduates a year) award the most English Language and Literature/Letters degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 California colleges offer English Language and Literature/Letters.
Which English Language and Literature/Letters program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-San Diego tops the list at $21,788. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn in California?+
The average annual wage for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary in California is $134,950 (median $130,490), across about 5,460 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the English Language and Literature/Letters program?+
The English Language and Literature/Letters program offers students a comprehensive exploration of language, literature, and communication. This program is designed for individuals interested in understanding the intricacies of English…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, writing, speaking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary?+
The national job outlook is about 0.0% growth with around 5,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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