Best institutions to study Literature
Any instructional program in English language literature not listed above.
6 U.S. institutions graduated 17 Literature students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 23.1499, a specialization of Literature (CIP 23.14), and leads most directly to the Editors occupation (BLS SOC 27-3041).
About Literature programs
Any instructional program in English language literature not listed above.
See also: 16.0104 - Comparative Literature.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Literature program, categorized under English Language and Literature, focuses on the study of various literary works and their contexts. This program is designed for students who are passionate about reading, analyzing, and interpreting texts from different genres and periods. It encourages critical thinking and a deep appreciation for the art of writing.
Students in the Literature program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking. Coursework often includes analyzing literary texts, understanding their historical significance, and exploring various themes and styles in literature.
Credentials awarded
What Literature graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree7 graduates / yr · 1 institution41%
- Bachelor's degree5 graduates / yr · 3 institutions29%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution18%
- Doctor's degree - other2 graduates / yr · 1 institution12%
Graduates over time
Literature completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 28 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 17 |
Top 6 institutions for 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 7 | — | — |
| 2 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicDoctoral | 3 | 86% | — |
| 3 | Hellenic College - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Brookline, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 44% | $14,334 |
| 4 | Marymount Manhattan College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 49% | $34,258 |
| 5 | Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | — | — |
| 6 | Davidson College Davidson, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 91% | $16,628 |
Offered in 5 states & territories
Where Literature graduates come from. Each state links to all Literature programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 2 | 9 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center7 / yr |
| California | 1 | 3 | University of California - San Diego3 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 2 | Hellenic College - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology2 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 2 | Center for Advanced Studies On Puerto Rico and the Caribbean2 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | Davidson College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3041, Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Literature program can pursue careers as editors, writers, or postsecondary English language and literature teachers. The job outlook for related occupations shows little to no change, with approximately 9,800 annual openings and a median wage of $75,260, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 23.1499
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 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).
- 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
- American Literature (United States)CIP 23.1402partial data19 graduates / yr4 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, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Literature.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and active listening.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Literature?+
You can work as an editor, writer, or teacher in English language and literature.
What is the job outlook for literature graduates?+
The job outlook shows little change, with around 9,800 annual openings in related fields.
What is the CIP code for Literature?+
Literature is CIP 23.1499 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Literature (CIP 23.14). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in English language literature not listed above.
How many institutions offer Literature programs?+
6 U.S. institutions reported Literature graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states & territories, awarding 17 credentials in the year. That is 2.2% of all Literature graduates.
How much do Literature graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Editors occupation, which Literature most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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