English Language and Literature: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
English Language and Literature offers a comprehensive exploration of written and spoken language, literary traditions, and cultural expression across historical periods and global contexts. This interdisciplinary field cultivates advanced analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills through rigorous engagement with texts, language structures, and interpretive methodologies.
- Language Structure and Evolution: Investigates the phonetics, morphology, syntax, and historical development of the English language, tracing its transformation from Old English to contemporary global forms.
- World Literature and Cultural Contexts: Examines literary works from diverse cultures and time periods, analyzing how literature reflects, shapes, and responds to social, political, and philosophical movements.
- Genre and Narrative Theory: Explores the conventions, forms, and functions of literary genres—including poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction—through theoretical and critical frameworks.
- Textual Analysis and Interpretation: Develops advanced skills in close reading, rhetorical analysis, and critical interpretation to uncover meaning, symbolism, and ideological undercurrents in literary and linguistic texts.
- Writing and Rhetoric: Focuses on effective composition across academic, creative, and professional genres, emphasizing clarity, argumentation, and stylistic precision.
- Research and Academic Scholarship: Emphasizes scholarly inquiry, source evaluation, and methodological rigor in producing original research and contributing to ongoing academic discourse.
English Language and Literature Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
English Language and Literature Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with English Language and Literature degrees, including English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 59,590 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 |
English Language and Literature Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,260 in Hawaii to $130,580 in California—a 171% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Jersey, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 59,590 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 English Language and Literature by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 51 institutions offering English Language and 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 English Language and Literature is found at Shasta College (232 graduates), University of Iowa (150 graduates), Fort Hays State University (FHSU) (88 graduates), Bard College (85 graduates), and University of California (UCSD), San Diego (73 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,064 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shasta College |
Associate's
|
232 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
150 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Fort Hays State University (FHSU) |
Bachelor's
|
88 | Hays, Kansas | Public | fhsu.edu |
| Bard College |
Bachelor's
|
85 | Annandale-On-Hudson, New York | Private | bard.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Laney College |
Associate's
|
58 | Oakland, California | Public | laney.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
46 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Bennington College |
Master's
|
40 | Bennington, Vermont | Private | bennington.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
|
30 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Other Award
|
20 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
18 | Utica, New York | Public | mvcc.edu |
| Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Public | semo.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Emmanuel College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emmanuel.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
|
11 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Master's
|
10 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | uprrp.edu |
| Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Middletown, Connecticut | Private | wesleyan.edu |
| Butte College |
Associate's
|
8 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Master's
|
8 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Hollins University |
Master's
|
7 | Roanoke, Virginia | Private | hollins.edu |
| Dakota State University (DSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Madison, South Dakota | Public | dsu.edu |
| Patrick Henry College (PHC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Purcellville, Virginia | Private | phc.edu |
| Evangel University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | evangel.edu |
| Otterbein University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Westerville, Ohio | Private | otterbein.edu |
| Citrus College |
Associate's
|
4 | Glendora, California | Public | citruscollege.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| Eastern University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Davids, Pennsylvania | Private | eastern.edu |
| Beloit College (Beloit) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Beloit, Wisconsin | Private | beloit.edu |
| Stanford University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Saint Mary's College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | saintmarys.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Delta College |
Other Award
|
3 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Kent State University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Earlham College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Richmond, Indiana | Private | earlham.edu |
| Coppin State University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | coppin.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Doane University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Crete, Nebraska | Private | doane.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Master's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| Valparaiso University (Valpo) |
Master's
|
1 | Valparaiso, Indiana | Private | valpo.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Master's
|
1 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Worcester State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | worcester.edu |
| Siena Heights University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Adrian, Michigan | Private | sienaheights.edu |
| Southwest Baptist University (SBU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bolivar, Missouri | Private | sbuniv.edu |
| New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about English Language and Literature programs
How much can I earn with a English Language and Literature degree?
Salaries for English Language and Literature graduates vary by role and location. English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $78,270 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $130,580 compared to $48,260 in Hawaii. Approximately 59,590 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 English Language and Literature programs?
Currently 51 accredited institutions offer English Language and Literature degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Shasta College (232 graduates), University of Iowa (150 graduates), and Fort Hays State University (FHSU) (88 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 English Language and Literature growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,284 in 2010 to a peak of 1,123 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,064 in 2023-24. This represents a 53% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 English Language and Literature degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 59,590 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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