Best colleges for English Language and Literature/Letters
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for English Language and Literature/Letters by graduate earnings are Suffolk University ($41,252), Rowan University ($40,921) and Ohio University ($24,239), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Suffolk University (Boston, MA): $41,252, 21 graduates a year
- Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ): $40,921, 48 graduates a year
- Ohio University (Athens, OH): $24,239, 24 graduates a year
- University of California-San Diego (La Jolla, CA): $21,788, 78 graduates a year
- University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA): $21,591, 165 graduates a year
Compare 52 U.S. colleges offering English Language and Literature/Letters by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 24 states.
English Language and Literature/Letters programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,239 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 23.99 and the English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC).
About English Language and Literature/Letters programs
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 language and its literary forms, preparing them for various roles in education, writing, and communication fields.
Students will develop essential skills in reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and critical thinking. Coursework typically includes topics in linguistics, literature analysis, and effective communication strategies, equipping graduates with a strong foundation for diverse career paths.
Top 8 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Suffolk University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,252 | 21 | 61% | $28,895 | $23,250 |
| 2 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,921 | 48 | 67% | — | $24,950 |
| 3 | Ohio University Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,239 | 24 | 65% | — | $25,500 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,788 | 78 | 86% | — | $19,281 |
| 5 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,591 | 165 | 75% | — | $24,386 |
| 6 | Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $17,237 | 86 | 68% | $24,278 | $26,861 |
| 7 | Emmanuel College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,451 | 10 | 68% | $29,723 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Ohio University - Lancaster Campus Lancaster, OH Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $24,239 | 1 | 14% | — | $25,500 |
Specializations within English Language and Literature/Letters
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 23.99 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 24 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | $41,252 | Suffolk University |
| New Jersey | 3 | $40,921 | Rowan University |
| Ohio | 3 | $24,239 | Ohio University - Lancaster Campus |
| California | 9 | $21,788 | University of California-San Diego |
| Iowalimited | 2 | $21,591 | University of Iowa |
| New York | 4 | $17,237 | Bard College |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indiana | 3 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginia | 4 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1123, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the English Language and Literature/Letters program can pursue careers in education, writing, and communications. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 5,100 annual openings and a median wage of $78,270. A doctoral or professional degree is often required for advanced positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for English Language and Literature/Letters
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 23.99.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 23.99 (English Language and Literature/Letters, Other) maps to 1 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupation, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1123 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in English Language and Literature/Letters programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Teach writing or communication classes.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Common questions
What is the focus of the English Language and Literature/Letters program?+
The program focuses on the study of language, literature, and communication in English.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and critical thinking.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Graduates can expect around 5,100 annual job openings with a median wage of $78,270.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
Most advanced positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
How much do English Language and Literature/Letters graduates earn?+
English Language and Literature/Letters graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,239, College Scorecard (2019); the English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary occupation pays about $89,580 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for English Language and Literature/Letters?+
English Language and Literature/Letters maps to CIP 23.99 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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