Best colleges for English Language and Literature in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Iowa are the top bachelor's English Language and Literature programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. University of Northern Iowa leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,870, College Scorecard. University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Grinnell College award the most English Language and Literature degrees in Iowa: 62, 49 and 21 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 27 Iowa colleges offer English Language and Literature and award 255 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The English Language and Literature program, also known as English studies, focuses on the study, analysis, and exploration of English literature through various texts. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, 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 Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,870 | 20 | 68% | — | $24,274 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,375 | 49 | 75% | — | $24,000 |
| 3 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,116 | 62 | 75% | — | $22,000 |
| 4 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,490 | 9 | 71% | $22,827 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most English Language and Literature degrees in Iowa
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 Iowa Iowa City Public | 62 | $34,116 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 49 | $38,375 |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 20 | $41,870 |
| 5 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 6 | Central College Pella Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 7 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit | 9 | $38,490 |
| 9 | Wartburg College Waverly Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 10 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 17 Iowa colleges offering English Language and Literature
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morningside University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport | Public | 4 |
| Graceland University - Lamoni | Lamoni | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs | Public | 4 |
| Loras College | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Southeastern Community College | West Burlington | Public | 4 |
| Grand View University | Des Moines | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Clarke University | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls | Public | 1 |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Calmar | Public | 1 |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Proofreaders and Copy Markers (SOC 43-9081).
Top skills
What Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing English Language and Literature programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most English Language and Literature degrees?+
University of Iowa (62 graduates a year), Iowa State University (49 graduates a year) and Grinnell College (21 graduates a year) award the most English Language and Literature degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 27 Iowa colleges offer English Language and Literature.
What is the best college for English Language and Literature in Iowa?+
By graduate earnings, University of Northern Iowa leads among bachelor's English Language and Literature programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $41,870, College Scorecard. Iowa State University and University of Iowa follow. By degrees awarded, University of Iowa is the largest, with 62 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which English Language and Literature program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Northern Iowa tops the list at $41,870. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Proofreaders and Copy Markers in Iowa is $47,950 (median $44,680), across about 110 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the English Language and Literature program?+
The English Language and Literature program, also known as English studies, focuses on the study, analysis, and exploration of English literature through various texts. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…
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 Proofreaders and Copy Markers?+
The national job outlook is about -0.6% growth with around 1,900 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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