Best institutions to study General Literature
A program that focuses on literature from one or more genres, cultures or traditions.
59 U.S. institutions graduated 415 General Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 23.1401, a specialization of Literature (CIP 23.14), and leads most directly to the Editors occupation (BLS SOC 27-3041).
About General Literature programs
A program that focuses on literature from one or more genres, cultures or traditions. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, and studies of various types of literary text.
See also: 16.0104 - Comparative Literature.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The General Literature program is designed for students interested in exploring literature across various genres, cultures, and traditions. This program delves into period and genre studies, author studies, and literary criticism, providing a comprehensive understanding of literary texts. It is ideal for those who have a passion for reading and analyzing literature from diverse perspectives.
Students in the General Literature program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework typically includes literary analysis, evaluation of texts, and the study of communication and media, equipping students with a strong foundation in English language and literature.
Credentials awarded
What General Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree271 graduates / yr · 38 institutions65%
- Associate's degree76 graduates / yr · 11 institutions18%
- Master's degree45 graduates / yr · 4 institutions11%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate20 graduates / yr · 7 institutions4.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.7%
Graduates over time
General Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 222 |
| 2013 | 244 |
| 2014 | 307 |
| 2015 | 309 |
| 2016 | 339 |
| 2017 | 298 |
| 2018 | 320 |
| 2019 | 275 |
| 2020 | 294 |
| 2021 | 233 |
| 2022 | 378 |
| 2023 | 349 |
| 2024 | 350 |
| 2025 | 415 |
Top 50 institutions for General Literature, 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 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 50 | 69% | $54,185 | $25,618 |
| 2 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate's | 37 | 24% | — | — |
| 3 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 75% | $30,225 | $23,164 |
| 4 | The University of the South Sewanee, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 80% | $21,573 | — |
| 5 | Grove City College Grove City, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 83% | — | — |
| 6 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 7 | Bennington College Bennington, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 71% | $27,554 | $18,152 |
| 8 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicBachelor's | 20 | 60% | — | — |
| 9 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster's | 14 | 61% | — | — |
| 10 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 12 | 80% | — | — |
| 11 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 11 | 54% | — | — |
| 12 | Ave Maria University Ave Maria, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 54% | $22,235 | — |
| 13 | Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZPublicAssociate's | 7 | 32% | — | — |
| 14 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZPublicAssociate's | 6 | 16% | — | — |
| 15 | Erie Community College Buffalo, NYPublicAssociate's | 6 | 28% | — | — |
| 16 | Nassau Community College Garden City, NYPublicAssociate's | 6 | 23% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 18 | University of California - Merced Merced, CAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 69% | — | — |
| 19 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 80% | — | — |
| 20 | Hamilton College Clinton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 91% | $20,680 | — |
| 21 | George Fox University Newberg, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 72% | $26,564 | — |
| 22 | Chandler - Gilbert Community College Chandler, AZPublicAssociate's | 5 | 30% | — | — |
| 23 | Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 59% | $22,906 | — |
| 24 | Pacific University Forest Grove, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 67% | $30,571 | — |
| 25 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 51% | $25,162 | — |
| 26 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAssociate's | 3 | 16% | — | — |
| 27 | Florida Southern College Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 71% | $28,325 | — |
| 28 | Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 75% | $26,849 | — |
| 29 | Cornell College Mount Vernon, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 62% | $23,073 | — |
| 30 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 3 | 46% | — | — |
| 31 | Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 59% | $21,096 | — |
| 32 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 3 | 75% | — | — |
| 33 | Linfield University McMinnville, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 70% | $26,243 | — |
| 34 | Allegheny College Meadville, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 73% | $18,524 | — |
| 35 | Saint Martin's University Lacey, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 52% | $22,131 | — |
| 36 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 85% | — | — |
| 37 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZPublicAssociate's | 2 | 14% | — | — |
| 38 | Rio Salado College Tempe, AZPublicAssociate's | 2 | 9% | — | — |
| 39 | Carroll College Helena, MTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 69% | $21,440 | — |
| 40 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 67% | — | — |
| 41 | Yeshiva University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 83% | $39,696 | — |
| 42 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 43 | Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 61% | $24,872 | — |
| 44 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 50% | — | — |
| 45 | South Mountain Community College Phoenix, AZPublicAssociate's | 1 | 16% | — | — |
| 46 | Indiana University - Kokomo Kokomo, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 46% | — | — |
| 47 | Indiana University - South Bend South Bend, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 48 | Indiana University - Southeast New Albany, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 39% | — | — |
| 49 | Indiana University - East Richmond, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 50 | Dordt University Sioux Center, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 70% | $24,569 | — |
* 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 26 states
Where General Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Literature programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the General Literature program can pursue careers as editors, writers, and postsecondary English language and literature teachers. With an annual opening of approximately 9,800 positions and a median wage of $75,260, the job outlook for these roles shows little or no change, typically requiring a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 23.1401
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Editorsprimary SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 | $76,910 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~13,400 | Bachelor's degree |
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1123 | $78,760 | 0.0% Little or no change | ~5,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in General Literature 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Literature specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Literature (CIP 23.14).
- English Literature (British and Commonwealth)CIP 23.1404partial data244 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Children's and Adolescent LiteratureCIP 23.1405partial data74 graduates / yr6 institutions
- American Literature (United States)CIP 23.1402partial data19 graduates / yr4 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 General Literature?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, Master's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate in General Literature.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in General Literature?+
You can work as an editor, writer, or English language and literature teacher at the postsecondary level.
What is the job outlook for careers in this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 9,800 annual openings and a median wage of $75,260.
What is the CIP code for General Literature?+
General Literature is CIP 23.1401 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 literature from one or more genres, cultures or traditions. Includes instruction in period and genre studies, author studies, literary criticism, and studies of various types of literary text.
How many institutions offer General Literature programs?+
59 U.S. institutions reported General Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 415 credentials in the year. That is 54.0% of all Literature graduates.
How much do General Literature graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Editors occupation, which General Literature most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Literature field report median earnings of $23,164 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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