Children's and Adolescent Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the rich narrative landscapes of literature crafted for young readers and emerging adults through a rigorous academic lens. This program equips students with advanced analytical and interpretive skills to engage deeply with texts that shape childhood imagination and adolescent identity.
- Period and genre studies: Examine the evolution of children's and adolescent literature across historical eras and distinct literary forms, from classic fairy tales to contemporary dystopian fiction.
- Author studies: Investigate the thematic, stylistic, and cultural contributions of influential writers who have defined the field, such as Roald Dahl, Madeleine L'Engle, and Jacqueline Woodson.
- Literary criticism: Develop proficiency in applying diverse critical frameworks—including feminist, postcolonial, and reader-response theories—to evaluate narrative structure, representation, and ideological underpinnings.
- Studies of various literary text types: Analyze a broad spectrum of formats, including picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, poetry collections, and young adult novels, with attention to form, function, and audience engagement.
- Book artists: Explore the collaborative role of illustrators, designers, and publishers in shaping the visual and tactile dimensions of children's books as multimodal artworks.
- Children's films: Assess cinematic adaptations of literary works for young audiences, analyzing narrative adaptation, visual storytelling, and the interplay between text and image in film.
Children's and Adolescent Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Children's and Adolescent Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Children's and Adolescent 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 |
Children's and Adolescent 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 Children's and Adolescent Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 5 institutions offering Children's and Adolescent 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 Children's and Adolescent Literature is found at University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (33 graduates), Simmons University (12 graduates), Eastern Michigan University (EMU) (6 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (2 graduates), and University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 55 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh |
Other Award
|
33 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Simmons University |
Master's
|
12 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | simmons.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
2 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Other Award
|
2 | Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | greensburg.pitt.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Children's and Adolescent Literature programs
How much can I earn with a Children's and Adolescent Literature degree?
Salaries for Children's and Adolescent 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 Children's and Adolescent Literature programs?
Currently 5 accredited institutions offer Children's and Adolescent Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (33 graduates), Simmons University (12 graduates), and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) (6 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 Children's and Adolescent Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3 in 2010 to 55 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,733% 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 Children's and Adolescent 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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