Best colleges for Literature
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Literature by graduate earnings are Pace University ($25,758), The New School ($25,618) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ($23,868), 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%.
- Pace University (New York, NY): $25,758, 40 graduates a year
- The New School (New York, NY): $25,618, 50 graduates a year
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (Pittsburgh, PA): $23,868, 76 graduates a year
- American University (Washington, DC): $23,164, 33 graduates a year
- Bennington College (Bennington, VT): $18,152, 21 graduates a year
Compare 81 U.S. colleges offering Literature by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 30 states.
Literature programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $23,868 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 23.14 and the Editors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Literature programs
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 Literature, and Children's Literature, making it suitable for students interested in exploring diverse literary traditions and critical analysis.
Students in the Literature program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes the evaluation of texts, editing manuscripts, and understanding the impact of literature on society and culture.
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 | Pace University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,758 | 40 | 60% | $29,994 | $26,000 |
| 2 | The New School New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,618 | 50 | 69% | $54,185 | $23,750 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,868 | 76 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,164 | 33 | 75% | $30,225 | $26,105 |
| 5 | Bennington College Bennington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $18,152 | 21 | 71% | $27,554 | $27,000 |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Greensburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,868 | 4 | 40% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $23,868 | 3 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,704 | 12 | 93% | — | $13,093 |
Specializations within Literature
5 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 23.14 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- General LiteratureCIP 23.1401415 graduates / yr59 institutions26 states
- English Literature (British and Commonwealth)CIP 23.1404partial data244 graduates / yr9 institutions5 states
- Children's and Adolescent LiteratureCIP 23.1405partial data74 graduates / yr6 institutions6 states
- American Literature (United States)CIP 23.1402partial data19 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states
- LiteratureCIP 23.1499partial data17 graduates / yr6 institutions5 states
Show all 6 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- American Literature (Canadian)23.1403
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 30 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 11 | $25,758 | Pace University |
| Pennsylvania | 7 | $23,868 | University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | $23,164 | American University |
| California | 4 | $22,704 | University of California-Los Angeles |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | $18,152 | Bennington College |
| Arizona | 9 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indiana | 5 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 4 | — | — |
| Ohio | 5 | — | — |
| Oregon | 3 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Literature program can pursue various careers in writing, editing, publishing, and education. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 9,800 annual openings and a median wage of $75,260 for those holding a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Literature
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 23.14.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 23.14 (Literature) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1123 | English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-3041 | Editorsprimary |
| 27-3043 | Writers and Authors |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Literature 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
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organization, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the Literature program?+
Specializations include General Literature, American Literature, English Literature, Children's Literature, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Literature graduates?+
The job outlook indicates little or no change, with about 9,800 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required for careers in this field?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers related to Literature.
How much do Literature graduates earn?+
Literature graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $23,868, College Scorecard (2019); the Editors occupation pays about $90,060 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Literature?+
Literature maps to CIP 23.14 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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