Best institutions to study American Literature (United States)
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.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 19 American Literature (United States) students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 23.1402, a specialization of Literature (CIP 23.14), and leads most directly to the English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1123).
About American Literature (United States) programs
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. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, and regional and oral traditions.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The American Literature (United States) program is designed for students interested in exploring the rich tapestry of American literary works from the Colonial Era to the present. This program delves into both formal and folkloric literature, providing a comprehensive understanding of various genres, authors, and literary criticism. It is ideal for those passionate about literature and its cultural significance in American society.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework includes studies in period and genre analysis, author studies, and regional and oral traditions, equipping graduates with a well-rounded understanding of American literature.
Credentials awarded
What American Literature (United States) graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree14 graduates / yr · 2 institutions74%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions26%
Graduates over time
American Literature (United States) completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 65 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 40 |
| 2015 | 39 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 43 |
| 2021 | 57 |
| 2022 | 42 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 19 |
Top 4 institutions for American Literature (United States), ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 93% | — | $22,704 |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 4 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 3 | Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 49% | $24,187 | — |
| 4 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KYPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 52% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Literature field (CIP 23.14) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where American Literature (United States) graduates come from. Each state links to all Literature programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 12 | University of California - Los Angeles12 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 4 | Harvard University4 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 2 | Southern Adventist University2 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | Northern Kentucky University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1123, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the American Literature program often pursue careers as English Language and Literature Teachers at the postsecondary level. With an annual opening of 5,100 positions and a median wage of $78,270, the job outlook is stable, requiring typically a doctoral or professional degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 23.1402
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1123 | $78,760 | 0.0% Little or no change | ~5,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in American Literature (United States) programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Literature specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Literature (CIP 23.14).
- General LiteratureCIP 23.1401415 graduates / yr59 institutions
- English Literature (British and Commonwealth)CIP 23.1404partial data244 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Children's and Adolescent LiteratureCIP 23.1405partial data74 graduates / yr6 institutions
- LiteratureCIP 23.1499partial data17 graduates / yr6 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a postsecondary English Language and Literature Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is stable with little or no change, offering 5,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for American Literature (United States)?+
American Literature (United States) is CIP 23.1402 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Literature (CIP 23.14). NCES defines it as: 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. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, and regional and oral traditions.
How many institutions offer American Literature (United States) programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported American Literature (United States) graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 19 credentials in the year. That is 2.5% of all Literature graduates.
How much do American Literature (United States) graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which American Literature (United States) most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,760 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Literature field report median earnings of $22,704 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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