English Language & Literature

Programs studying literature, writing, rhetoric, and the English language. Includes creative writing, professional writing, literary analysis, linguistics, and publishing.

Common careers: Writer, Editor, Technical Writer, Content Manager, English Teacher, Communications Specialist

2,931Programs

1,423Schools

$31,331Median Earnings

$27,529 – $41,249Middle 50% Earnings

$24,398Avg Debt at Graduation

Specializations

Top Earning Programs

Highest median earnings one year after graduation

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(doctoral)The University of Texas at Austin, TX

$82,205 2

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Northeastern University, MA

$77,360 3

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Northeastern University Professional Programs, MA

$77,360 4

English Language and Literature(masters)Middlebury College, VT

$75,793 5

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Mount Saint Mary's University, CA

$70,010 6

English Language and Literature(doctoral)University of Florida, FL

$67,247 7

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Simmons University, MA

$64,693 8

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Harvard University, MA

$64,693 9

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Bay Path University, MA

$64,693 10

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Boston University, MA

$64,693 11

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Western New England University, MA

$64,693 12

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Lesley University, MA

$64,693 13

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)University of Massachusetts3 campuses

$64,693 14

English Language and Literature(doctoral)Purdue University-Main Campus, IN

$64,233 15

English Language and Literature(doctoral)Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus, PA

$63,368 16

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)The University of Texas at El Paso, TX

$63,112 17

English Language and Literature(masters)The College of New Jersey, NJ

$62,921 18

English Language and Literature(masters)National University, CA

$62,549 19

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(masters)Ashland University, OH

$61,708 20

English Language and Literature(doctoral)Wayne State University, MI

$61,599 21

English Language and Literature(masters)George Mason University, VA

$61,523 22

English Language and Literature(doctoral)CUNY Graduate School and University Center, NY

$60,758 23

English Language and Literature/Letters(masters)Bennington College, VT

$60,584 24

English Language and Literature(doctoral)Indiana University-Bloomington, IN

$60,457 25

English Language and Literature(masters)Bridgewater State University, MA

$58,926

Career Paths

Occupations linked to english language & literature programs

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

Top States

States with the most english language & literature programs

NY216 programs$32,268 avg

CA201 programs$31,520 avg

TX172 programs$40,173 avg

PA170 programs$34,631 avg

OH150 programs$31,346 avg

IL114 programs$35,783 avg

MA112 programs$39,591 avg

NC98 programs$31,359 avg

MI88 programs$32,392 avg

IN85 programs$34,568 avg

MO84 programs$31,982 avg

FL79 programs$33,239 avg

VA78 programs$36,209 avg

GA77 programs$32,332 avg

TN70 programs$33,766 avg