West Virginia · English Language and Literature

Best colleges for English Language and Literature in West Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

Marshall University, West Virginia University and Shepherd University award the most English Language and Literature degrees in West Virginia: 51, 44 and 12 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 West Virginia colleges offer English Language and Literature and award 193 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…

Institutions
12
offering CIP 23.01
States & territories
54
with a program page
Degrees / yr
193
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$27,186
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$17,325
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
49%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$41,650
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Marshall University
Huntington Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,1955151%—$27,000
2West Virginia University
Morgantown Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,1824465%—$21,250
3American Public University System
Charles Town Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online
$37,6025157%$10,199$35,094
4Shepherd University
Shepherdstown Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$27,1861251%—$19,661

Colleges awarding the most English Language and Literature degrees in West Virginia

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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Marshall University
Huntington Public
51$30,195
2West Virginia University
Morgantown Public
44$23,182
3Shepherd University
Shepherdstown Public
12$27,186
4Fairmont State University
Fairmont Public
10Not reported
5West Virginia State University
Institute Public
7Not reported
6Concord University
Athens Public
6Not reported
7Glenville State University
Glenville Public
3Not reported
8West Virginia Wesleyan College
Buckhannon Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
9Bethany College
Bethany Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
10University of Charleston
Charleston Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
Show the other 2 West Virginia colleges offering English Language and Literature
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
American Public University System (Online)Charles TownPrivate for-profit51
West Liberty UniversityWest LibertyPublic2

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Proofreaders and Copy Markers (SOC 43-9081).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-0.6%
Little or no change
Openings / yr (US)
~1,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$49,210
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoring

What Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn in West Virginia

Jobs in West Virginia
50
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$41,650
median $36,730
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$69,180 avg · 250 jobs
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
$41,650 avg · 50 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing English Language and Literature programs in West Virginia.

Which West Virginia colleges award the most English Language and Literature degrees?+

Marshall University (51 graduates a year), West Virginia University (44 graduates a year) and Shepherd University (12 graduates a year) award the most English Language and Literature degrees in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 West Virginia colleges offer English Language and Literature.

Which English Language and Literature program in West Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Marshall University tops the list at $30,195. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn in West Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Proofreaders and Copy Markers in West Virginia is $41,650 (median $36,730), across about 50 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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