Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Exploring the written word across time, cultures, and forms, this program offers a rigorous academic journey into the study of literature as a vital expression of human experience. Students engage deeply with literary works through critical analysis, historical context, and theoretical frameworks, developing advanced interpretive and analytical skills.
- Period and Genre Studies: Investigate literary movements and styles across historical eras—such as Romanticism, Modernism, or the Harlem Renaissance—while analyzing how genre conventions shape narrative form and thematic content.
- Author Studies: Examine the body of work by individual writers in depth, tracing their literary evolution, stylistic choices, and cultural influence within broader literary and historical landscapes.
- Literary Criticism: Apply diverse theoretical approaches—including feminist, postcolonial, psychoanalytic, and structuralist perspectives—to interpret and evaluate literary texts with precision and intellectual rigor.
- Textual Analysis: Explore a wide range of literary forms, including poetry, fiction, drama, and nonfiction, focusing on language, structure, symbolism, and narrative techniques to uncover meaning and artistic intent.
Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Literature degrees, including English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Editors and Writers and Authors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 202,870 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1123 | $78,270 | $47,540 - $154,800 | 59,590 | N/A |
| Editors 27-3041 | $75,260 | $36,200 - $140,840 | 95,480 | $36.18 |
| Writers and Authors 27-3043 | $72,270 | $41,080 - $133,680 | 47,800 | $34.75 |
Literature Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,487 in Oklahoma to $100,540 in California—a 103% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 202,870 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 62 institutions offering Literature programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Literature is found at The University of the South (41 graduates), American University (AU) (39 graduates), The New School (32 graduates), Connecticut State Community College (CT State) (26 graduates), and Miami University, Oxford (25 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 396 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of the South |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
41 | Sewanee, Tennessee | Private | sewanee.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
|
32 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
26 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Hamilton College |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Clinton, New York | Private | hamilton.edu |
| Bennington College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Bennington, Vermont | Private | bennington.edu |
| Grove City College (GCC) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Grove City, Pennsylvania | Private | gcc.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Master's
Other Award
|
12 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Allegheny College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Meadville, Pennsylvania | Private | allegheny.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
8 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Bloomington, Illinois | Private | iwu.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Linfield University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | McMinnville, Oregon | Private | linfield.edu |
| Florida Southern College (FSC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | flsouthern.edu |
| Indiana University (IUK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Kokomo, Indiana | Public | iuk.edu |
| Cornell College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Private | cornellcollege.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Master's
|
4 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Yeshiva University (YU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | New York, New York | Private | yu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
| Saint Martin's University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Lacey, Washington | Private | stmartin.edu |
| Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Avondale, Arizona | Public | estrellamountain.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Associate's
|
3 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| George Fox University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Newberg, Oregon | Private | georgefox.edu |
| Pacific University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Forest Grove, Oregon | Private | pacificu.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Phoenix College (PC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | phoenixcollege.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Carroll College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Helena, Montana | Private | carroll.edu |
| Rocky Mountain College (RMC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Billings, Montana | Private | rocky.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Other Award
|
2 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Queens University of Charlotte |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Private | queens.edu |
| The University of Findlay (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | findlay.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Other Award
|
2 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
| GateWay Community College (GWCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | gatewaycc.edu |
| Andrew College |
Associate's
|
1 | Cuthbert, Georgia | Private | andrewcollege.edu |
| Bradley University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Peoria, Illinois | Private | bradley.edu |
| Judson University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSE) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | New Albany, Indiana | Public | ius.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| Dordt University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Sioux Center, Iowa | Private | dordt.edu |
| Bethany College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lindsborg, Kansas | Private | bethanylb.edu |
| Bard College at Simon's Rock |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Great Barrington, Massachusetts | Private | simons-rock.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
1 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| Wilberforce University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wilberforce, Ohio | Private | wilberforce.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| Walla Walla University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | College Place, Washington | Private | wallawalla.edu |
| Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | paradisevalley.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Literature programs
How much can I earn with a Literature degree?
Salaries for Literature graduates vary by role and location. English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,270 annually, while Editors earn around $75,260. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $100,540 compared to $49,487 in Oklahoma. Approximately 202,870 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Literature programs?
Currently 62 accredited institutions offer Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of the South (41 graduates), American University (AU) (39 graduates), and The New School (32 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 188 in 2010 to 396 in 2023-24. This represents a 111% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Literature degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Editors, and Writers and Authors. Related occupations employ approximately 202,870 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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