Mastering English helps develop several skills and exposes graduates to a wide range of professional opportunities. You may wonder: "What jobs can I get with an English degree?" According to recent studies, these students can study academic writing, creative writing, literary theory, British, American, and multicultural literature, and various literary genres in college. Find out which colleges offer the top programs in English!
| Institution | Popular Degree Title(s) |
|---|---|
| Columbia University | English and Comparative Literature |
| University of Washington | English major with two tracks: Language, Literature, and Culture; Creative Writing |
| Georgetown University | English Language and Literature |
| Duke University | English; Creative Writing |
| Stanford University | English; Creative Writing |
| The University of Texas | English Language and Literature; Creative Writing; Cultural Studies |
| Brown University | English Language and Literature |
| University of Chicago | English; Creative Writing |
| Universtiy of California, Berkeley | English |
| College of the Holy Cross | English |
| University of Pennsylvania | English Language and Literature |
| Emory University | English; Literature; Interpretation; Creative Writing |
| University of Miami | English Studies; literature, creative writing, linguistics, and professional writing tracks |
| Williams College | English Language and Literature |
| University of Michigan | English Language and Literature |
| Rice University | English |
| Brandeis University | English Language and Literature; Creative Writing; Cultural Studies |
| Harvard University | English Literature |
| Yale University | English |
| Princeton University | English |
| University of California, Los Angeles | English; American Literature & Culture |
Columbia University
If you want to study English language and lit, Columbia University in New York City is one of your best possibilities. Columbia is a big, private, non-profit university set in New York City.
Columbia is a strong university in general, with a Best Colleges ranking of 32 out of 1,715 institutes nationally. Thousands of students apply to the campus every year.
Columbia also offers two additional higher degree levels in the field, the most common of which is a Master's Degree, for individuals interested in something more sophisticated.
Most English degree programs emphasize comprehension and analysis of literature. Students assess classic and modern literature and delve into how the literature intersects with other disciplines, such as history.
U.S.News & World Report
University of Washington
If you wish to major in English language and literature, the University of Washington - Seattle Campus is hard to top.
UW Seattle is a public institution with a significant student population and is situated in the city of Seattle. This university is ranked 97th out of 1,715 universities for overall quality.
For individuals seeking a more advanced education, UW Seattle provides two different degrees of further education in the field, the most common of which is a Master's Degree.
Learn about the different careers you can pursue as an English major.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is one of the top options for English majors. Georgetown University is a private, non-profit university with a significant student population set in the metropolitan city of Washington DC.
Georgetown University has a Master's program in English Language and Literature for students interested in furthering their education. It's frequently named one of the best colleges for English in the country.

Duke University
Duke University is amongst the most outstanding colleges with relevant majors in the country. Duke University is a private, non-profit university with a significant student population set in the metropolitan city of Durham.
Duke is a strong university in general; it ranks 2 out of 1,720 Best Colleges nationwide.
With approximately 66 graduates in the most recent data year, Duke University is a reasonably famous university in the United States.
Stanford University
Stanford University was ranked third in the U.S. charts, as well as the World Q.S. University Rankings in the past year. Stanford University, set in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, is known for its tactical and entrepreneurial culture and business curriculum.
Many successful and popular entrepreneurs have graduated from it, including the makers or the founders of Google, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Netflix.
What classes can you take in high school to prep for a degree in English?
The University of Texas
UT Austin is a large public institution in Austin, Texas, with a significant student body. However, in Texas, this university is ranked 91st out of 1,720 universities for overall quality.
In the most recent year for which data is available, around 330 students graduated from this program at UT Austin.
The most popular degree that students pursue is the Bachelor of Arts in General English Language & Literature.
Brown University
Brown University is a prominent, private, non-profit university in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown has an excellent reputation in general, with a Best Colleges ranking of 13 out of 1,715 institutions nationwide.
As a very small campus in a very small state, approximately 147 people graduated from Brown's English program in the most current data year.
Brush up on your skills with adult English classes taught by qualified tutors on Superprof.
University of Chicago
UChicago is a private, non-profit institution with a significant student population set in the metropolitan city of Chicago. UChicago is quite a prestigious university, with a Best Colleges rank of 19 out of 1,720 nationally.
In the most recent year for which data is available, roughly 110 students graduated from this program at UChicago.
University of California Berkeley
UC Berkeley, situated in the city of Berkeley, is a public institution with a sizeable student population. In California, this university is ranked 69th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality.
In the most recent year for which data is available, around 382 English language and literature students graduated from UC Berkeley.

College of the Holy Cross
Holy Cross is a tiny, private, non-profit college in Worcester, a medium-sized city. Overall, Holy Cross is a famous college, with a Best Colleges ranking of 31 out of 1,720 nationwide.
With around 67 graduates in the most recent data year, College of the Holy Cross is among the most popular universities in the United States to study the English language and literature.
University Of Pennsylvania
UPenn is a private, non-profit university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. UPenn is a well-liked college, with a rank of 9 out of 1,715 nationwide.
With roughly 82 graduates in the most recent data year, the University of Pennsylvania is small, but mighty.
Emory University
Emory University is a private, non-profit university with a significant student population set in the metropolitan city of Atlanta. Emory has made quite a name for itself and has a Best Colleges ranking of 34 out of 1,720 colleges nationally.
Emory University provides two alternative higher degree levels in English language and literature, the most common being a P.h.D.
Find an amazing English class near me when you search for a tutor on Superprof.

University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-profit institution with a sizable student body set in the tiny city of Coral Gables. In the state of Florida, this university is ranked 103rd out of 1,715 schools for overall quality.
U Miami also offers two additional higher degree levels in English language and literature, the most popular of which is a Master's Degree, for those interested in something more advanced.
Williams College
Williams College is a private, non-profit college with a small student body set in Williamstown. Williams is a great college overall, with a Best Colleges ranking of 7 out of 1,715 colleges nationally.
In the most recent data year, about 60 students graduated from Williams' English language and literature department, making it a prevalent major for literature undergrads and English language.
Find out how you can supplement your English education outside the classroom.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a large public university in Ann Arbor, a medium-sized city. U-M is a well-reputed university in general, with a Best Universities ranking of 38 out of 1,715 nationwide.
In the most recent year for which data is available, around 226 English language and literature students graduated from this program at U-M.
students earn English degrees in the U.S. per year
Rice University
Rice University is a medium-sized private, not-for-profit university in Houston, Texas. Rice provides a high-quality level of education and has a Best Colleges ranking of 11 out of 1,720 colleges nationwide.
Rice University is amongst the most popular universities in the United States for studying English language and literature, with 35 graduates in the most current data year.
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is a medium-sized private non-profit university in Waltham, Massachusetts. In the state of Massachusetts, this university is ranked 75th out of 1,720 schools for overall quality.
With roughly 45 graduates in the most recent data year, Brandeis University is among the most popular universities in the United States to study English language and literature.
Prepare for work or school with English classes Miami on Superprof.
Harvard University
Harvard is a private, non-profit institution with a big student body set in the medium-sized city of Cambridge. Harvard is one of the best colleges in the U.S., as it has a Best Colleges ranking of 3 out of 1720 nationwide.
Harvard also offers two additional higher degree levels in English language and literature, the most common of which is a Master's Degree, for individuals interested in something more sophisticated.

Yale University
Students in Yale’s English program learn about literature and culture in British and American English and beyond. History and argumentation, backed by rigorous research, provide the opportunity to develop a wider understanding of literature and its contexts.
Seniors can complete a Senior Essay, which is an extended capstone project that allows students to focus on one area of expertise.
Creative writing courses also present students with multiple ways to approach and utilize their interests and education in English.
If you know you want a career in English, you can start prepping as early as high school!
Princeton University
In a comprehensive undergraduate program, students complete 12 different classes. Among them are the junior seminar, 9 departmental courses, and 2 senior thesis courses; there are many opportunities for deep research.
The program incorporates the study of literature across multiple time periods, giving students a strong understanding of English and literature’s progression over time, as well as their historical impacts.
Overall, it’s a highly organized, thesis-centered program perfect for serious literature enthusiasts.
University of California, Los Angeles
At the famous UCLA, the English major program allows students to explore a broad and flexible path within the discipline. Students complete 10 upper-level courses in English, including history, core classes, electives, and a senior seminar or capstone before graduation.
The school encourages students to customize their program as much as they can to reflect their interests while also receiving a foundational education about traditions in English literature. Students often combine their English studies with complementary courses about gender, race, postcolonial studies, theory, and creative writing.
References
- Best English Programs. (n.d.). U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/english-rankings
- General English Language & Literature | Data USA. (n.d.). Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/cip/general-english-language-literature
Summarize with AI:









