Best colleges for English Language and Literature in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
Austin Peay State University, Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University are the top bachelor's English Language and Literature programs in Tennessee by graduate earnings. Austin Peay State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,486, College Scorecard. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of Memphis and Middle Tennessee State University award the most English Language and Literature degrees in Tennessee: 109, 84 and 81 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 32 Tennessee colleges offer English Language and Literature and award 631 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The English Language and Literature program, also known as English studies, focuses on the study, analysis, and exploration of English literature through various texts. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…
Top 9 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,486 | 30 | 40% | — | $25,677 |
| 2 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,633 | 33 | 94% | $14,854 | $13,420 |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,554 | 81 | 54% | — | $24,045 |
| 4 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,476 | 109 | 74% | — | $22,990 |
| 5 | University of Memphis Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,948 | 84 | 51% | — | $23,708 |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,999 | 48 | 50% | — | $22,796 |
| 7 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,360 | 26 | 71% | $29,246 | $24,250 |
| 8 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,836 | 66 | 53% | — | $16,598 |
| 9 | Lee University Cleveland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,977 | 11 | 63% | $18,918 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most English Language and Literature degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 109 | $26,476 |
| 2 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 84 | $25,948 |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 81 | $31,554 |
| 4 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 66 | $21,836 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 48 | $22,999 |
| 6 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 33 | $34,633 |
| 7 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public | 30 | $37,486 |
| 8 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 26 | $22,360 |
| 9 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 10 | Rhodes College Memphis Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 22 Tennessee colleges offering English Language and Literature
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lipscomb University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Lee University | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | Public | 10 |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin | Public | 8 |
| Union University | Jackson | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski | Public | 6 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Welch College | Gallatin | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Tusculum University | Greeneville | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Maryville College | Maryville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Milligan University | Milligan | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Fisk University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Johnson University | Knoxville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Bethel University | McKenzie | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Bryan College - Dayton | Dayton | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Proofreaders and Copy Markers (SOC 43-9081).
Top skills
What Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn in Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing English Language and Literature programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most English Language and Literature degrees?+
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (109 graduates a year), University of Memphis (84 graduates a year) and Middle Tennessee State University (81 graduates a year) award the most English Language and Literature degrees in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 32 Tennessee colleges offer English Language and Literature.
What is the best college for English Language and Literature in Tennessee?+
By graduate earnings, Austin Peay State University leads among bachelor's English Language and Literature programs in Tennessee, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,486, College Scorecard. Vanderbilt University and Middle Tennessee State University follow. By degrees awarded, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is the largest, with 109 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which English Language and Literature program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Austin Peay State University tops the list at $37,486. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
What is the focus of the English Language and Literature program?+
The English Language and Literature program, also known as English studies, focuses on the study, analysis, and exploration of English literature through various texts. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, writing, speaking, active listening, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Proofreaders and Copy Markers?+
The national job outlook is about -0.6% growth with around 1,900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card