Best institutions to study Literature
Compare 81 U.S. colleges offering Literature by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 30 states.
Literature programs report a median of $23,868 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | 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 - Greensburg Greensburg, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,868 | 4 | 40% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown Johnstown, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,868 | 3 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,868 | 76 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,164 | 33 | 75% | $30,225 | $26,105 |
| 7 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,704 | 12 | 93% | — | $13,093 |
| 8 | Bennington College Bennington, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $18,152 | 21 | 71% | $27,554 | $27,000 |
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.
Concentrations within Literature
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- General LiteratureCIP 23.1401
A program that focuses on literature from one or more genres, cultures or traditions
- American Literature (United States)CIP 23.1402
A program that focuses on the literature and literary development, both formal and folkloric, of the United States from the Colonial Era to the present
- American Literature (Canadian)CIP 23.1403
A program that focuses on the literature and literary development, both formal and folkloric, of Canada from its origins to the present
- English Literature (British and Commonwealth)CIP 23.1404
A program that focuses on the literatures and literary developments of the English-speaking peoples of the British Isles and the British Commonwealth, from the origins of the English language to the p
- Children's and Adolescent LiteratureCIP 23.1405
A program that focuses on the scholarly study of children's and adolescent literature and that may enhance the professional work of teachers, librarians, publishers, booksellers, and creative writers
- Literature, OtherCIP 23.1499
Any instructional program in English language literature not listed above.
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 of $23,868 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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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