Maine · English Language and Literature

Best colleges for English Language and Literature in Maine

Ranked by graduate earnings

Bowdoin College, Bates College and University of Southern Maine are the top bachelor's English Language and Literature programs in Maine by graduate earnings. Bowdoin College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,421, College Scorecard. University of Maine, University of Southern Maine and Bates College award the most English Language and Literature degrees in Maine: 26, 22 and 21 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Maine colleges offer English Language and Literature and award 134 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…

Institutions
12
offering CIP 23.01
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
134
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$33,014
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$18,203
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
62%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Proofreaders and Copy Markers
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BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Bowdoin College
Brunswick Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$49,4212095%$15,454—
2Bates College
Lewiston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,2332190%$18,203—
3University of Southern Maine
Portland Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,0142240%—$25,000
4University of Maine
Orono Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,7272655%—$23,250

Colleges awarding the most English Language and Literature degrees in Maine

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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1University of Maine
Orono Public
26$28,727
2University of Southern Maine
Portland Public
22$33,014
3Bates College
Lewiston Private not-for-profit
21$40,233
4Bowdoin College
Brunswick Private not-for-profit
20$49,421
5Colby College
Waterville Private not-for-profit
15Not reported
6University of Maine at Presque Isle
Presque Isle Public
11Not reported
7University of Maine at Farmington
Farmington Public
7Not reported
8University of New England
Biddeford Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
9Husson University
Bangor Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
10Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
Show the other 2 Maine colleges offering English Language and Literature
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of Maine at AugustaAugustaPublic3
Thomas CollegeWatervillePrivate not-for-profit1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Proofreaders and Copy Markers (SOC 43-9081).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-0.6%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~1,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$49,210
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoring

What Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn in Maine

Jobs in Maine
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
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Related careers

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$93,890 avg · 230 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing English Language and Literature programs in Maine.

Which Maine colleges award the most English Language and Literature degrees?+

University of Maine (26 graduates a year), University of Southern Maine (22 graduates a year) and Bates College (21 graduates a year) award the most English Language and Literature degrees in Maine, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Maine colleges offer English Language and Literature.

What is the best college for English Language and Literature in Maine?+

By graduate earnings, Bowdoin College leads among bachelor's English Language and Literature programs in Maine, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $49,421, College Scorecard. Bates College and University of Southern Maine follow. By degrees awarded, University of Maine is the largest, with 26 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which English Language and Literature program in Maine has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Bowdoin College tops the list at $49,421. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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