Best colleges for Literature in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Merced and San Diego State University award the most Literature degrees and certificates in California: 12, 6 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 California colleges offer Literature and award 26 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Literature program focuses on the study of literary works and cultural expressions across various languages and cultures. It encompasses a wide range of specializations, including General Literature, American Literature, 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-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,704 | 12 | 93% | — | $13,093 |
Colleges awarding the most Literature degrees in California
Top 4 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-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 12 | $22,704 |
| 2 | University of California-Merced Merced Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 3 | San Diego State University San Diego Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla Public | 3 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Editors (SOC 27-3041).
Top skills
What Editors earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Literature programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Literature degrees?+
University of California-Los Angeles (12 graduates a year), University of California-Merced (6 graduates a year) and San Diego State University (5 graduates a year) award the most Literature degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 California colleges offer Literature.
How much do Editors earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Editors in California is $111,810 (median $98,030), across about 14,830 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Literature program?+
The Literature program focuses on the study of literary works and cultural expressions across various languages and cultures. It encompasses a wide range of specializations, including General Literature, American Literature, English…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Editors?+
The national job outlook is about +0.6% growth with around 9,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's 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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