Best Schools for English and Literature in the US

If you find solace in the written word, enjoy dissecting the layers of meaning within a text, and have a desire to contribute to the world of letters –– then pursuing English studies and literature is a path worth exploring. Beyond exploring classic and contemporary works, this field delves into the liberal arts, studying human experiences and offering a rich intellectual and creative growth landscape. To make that literary dream a reality, the following list will help you choose the best college or university for pursuing a bachelor's degree in English language or English literature

Top Schools for English and Literature in the US

#1 Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Tuition: $55,587

Why it’s a top school: Harvard's Department of English is a powerhouse of literary scholarship, thereby producing excellent English graduates. With a faculty comprising renowned authors and critics, their English degree program and literary education encourages students to engage with literature from diverse perspectives, spanning historical periods and genres.

Notable faculty: 

• Stephen Greenblatt: Shakespearean scholar and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

#2 Stanford University

Location: Stanford, California
Tuition: $56,169

Why it’s a top school: Stanford's Department of English boasts a comprehensive curriculum and a commitment to interdisciplinary exploration. The program encourages students to bridge the gap between literary analysis and broader cultural contexts, fostering a holistic approach to the study of literature.

Polygence research program mentors:
Ellis S: I studied at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid where I wrote my thesis on Spanish humor in times of crisis (the Spanish Civil War and the 2008 financial crisis). In 2016, I completed my M.A. at New York University in Madrid, where my thesis focused on creating collective identity within community-established public spaces. Currently, I'm entering the fourth year of my doctoral studies in the Iberian and Latin American Cultures Department, where I plan to focus on urban space and contemporary socio-political activism within Spanish, Catala, and Basque contexts.

#3 Columbia University

Location: New York, New York
Tuition: $64,380

Why it’s a top school: Columbia's Department of English and Comparative Literature is a hub for literary innovation and English education. The program's emphasis on global literary traditions and its location in the heart of literary culture make it an ideal place for aspiring scholars and writers.

 Notable faculty: 

• Saidiya Hartman: Scholar and author focusing on African American literature and cultural history.

Polygence research program mentors:

Nat R: My name is Nat. I use he/him pronouns and currently work as the Research & Training Coordinator for the Gender and Family Project. This organization focuses on providing affirming services to trans youth and their families. I completed my Bachelor's degree in English Literature, with a minor in Linguistics and a concentration in Brain and Cognitive Science. I have always been interested in language and psychology, and my master's program allowed me to expand my quantitative and qualitative research skills. I have experience with survey development, longitudinal studies, interview-based research, and publication. 

Elizabeth M: I completed my Modern History and French Literature undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford in 2008. I then moved to New York (finally living in a big city!) to start my PhD in French and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. During my years as a PhD candidate, I taught in the Core Curriculum at Columbia, a one-year intensive core curriculum course for first-year students in Columbia College covering major literary works in the Western canon from Homer to Toni Morrison. 

#4 Yale University

Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Tuition: $57,700

Why it’s a top school: Yale's Department of English is known for its commitment to intellectual exploration and critical inquiry. The program encourages students to delve into literary theory, cultural studies, and creative writing, providing a well-rounded approach to studying English literature.

Notable faculty: 

• Langdon Hammer: Scholar and poet with expertise in modern and contemporary American literature.

#5 Princeton University

Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Tuition: $57,980

Why it’s a top school: Princeton's Department of English combines a strong foundation in literary analysis with a commitment to exploring the intersections of literature with other disciplines. The English program's emphasis on close reading and creative expression prepares students for diverse career paths.

Polygence research program mentors:

Jin: I was born and raised in Hong Kong and did my BA in Comparative Literature at Princeton University, where I did my senior thesis project on one of the first 19th-century French translations of classical Chinese poetry. My current interests include 20th-century North African literature written in French and Arabic, literary interactions within Muslim communities in China and France, language politics etc. The main languages I work with are French, Chinese, and Arabic. I love languages and, if given a chance, would spend the rest of my life learning and collecting words, but there is also this thing called the PhD that I am enrolled in, which necessitates a dissertation... More on that as I make more progress! 

#6 Cornell University

Location: Ithaca, New York
Tuition: $61,015 

Why it’s a top school: Cornell’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach sets it apart. With state-of-the-art facilities and a distinguished faculty, Cornell provides an ideal setting for students eager to explore subjects in English and literature. 

Top Public Schools for English and Literature in the US

#1 University of California, Berkeley

Location: Berkeley, California
Tuition: $14,245 in-state, $44,219 out-of-state

Why it’s a top public school: UC Berkeley's Department of English offers a vibrant intellectual community and diverse courses. The program's commitment to inclusivity and innovation makes it an ideal choice for students seeking a public or national university with a strong emphasis on literary studies.

Polygence research program mentors:

Patricia double majored in Art History and Global Gender Studies at the SUNY Buffalo. She earned her Master of Arts in Performance Studies from NYU, and in the Fall of 2018, Patrícia gained acceptance to the PhD program in Performance Studies at UC Berkeley. Her research explores cultural geographies and performance theory for the interrelationship between identity and place, something she considers a “geo-corporeality.” 

To do this, she turns to the artistic practice of black and brown women of the Americas, primarily in Brazil. Their use of performance, place-making, and relationship to everyday geographies of racial and gendered struggle suggests an alternative way of conceiving activism, disruptions, entanglements, political identity, and curation. Patrícia is a native speaker of Portuguese and proficient in Spanish.

#2 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Tuition: $17,275 in-state, $51,144 out-of-state

Why it’s a top public school: U-M's Department of English Language and Literature is recognized for its rigorous curriculum and commitment to literary scholarship. The program's engagement with diverse literary traditions and its research-oriented approach make it a top choice among public institutions.

Polygence research program mentors:

Magdalena: I am a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I am originally from Lima, Peru, where I returned to pursue fieldwork. I spent two years at a shelter for the elderly in one of Lima's largest urban marginal neighborhoods exploring the processes of care, intimacy, and abandonment in which these older adults participate.  Before going to Michigan, I pursued a Master's in Theological Studies at Harvard University, and I also hold a B.A. in Spanish Literature from Universidad Catolica in Peru.

My research interests include care, old age, intimacy and affect theory, social abandonment, living and dying in precarious settings, marginalized communities, Latin America, subjectivity, and phenomenology. I am currently writing some articles for academic journals in Lima, Peru, where I share my days with my lovely four cats. I like watching movies, practicing meditation, reading, taking pictures, and writing—one of the things I like the most is teaching.  As a mentor, I am enthusiastic about being part of your project and seeing how it develops with time and through its different phases.

#3 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Location: Los Angeles, California
Tuition: $13,254 in-state, $43,326 out-of-state

Why it’s a top public school: UCLA's Department of English offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach to studying literature. The program's diverse faculty and commitment to exploring the intersections of literature with other disciplines make it a standout choice among public universities.

Notable faculty: 

• Saree Makdisi: Scholar specializing in 19th-century literature and cultural studies.

#4 University of Virginia

Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Tuition: $18,695 in-state, $52,640 out-of-state

Why it’s a top public school: UVA's Department of English combines a strong foundation in literary studies with a focus on critical thinking and effective communication. The program's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community makes it an ideal choice for literature enthusiasts.

Notable faculty: 

• Stephen Railton: Scholar and digital humanist specializing in American literature.

#5 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Tuition: $8,987 in-state, $36,159 out-of-state

Why it’s a top public school: UNC's Department of English and Comparative Literature offers a comprehensive and diverse curriculum. The program's commitment to interdisciplinary exploration and its emphasis on global literary traditions make it a top choice among public institutions.

Notable faculty: 

• Randall Kenan, Author and scholar focusing on Southern literature and African American studies.

#6 University of Florida

Location: Gainesville, Florida
Tuition: $6,380 in-state, $28,658 out-of-state

Why it’s a top public school: UF's Department of English is known for its commitment to literary studies and creative writing. The program's diverse English course offerings and emphasis on engaging with literature from various cultural perspectives make it a standout choice among public universities.

#7 University of Texas at Austin

Location: Austin, Texas
Tuition: $11,448 in-state, $40,032 out-of-state

Why it’s a top public school: UT Austin's Department of English offers a diverse and interdisciplinary approach to studying literature. The program's focus on critical thinking, cultural analysis, and creative expression makes it a top choice for students seeking a national university with a strong English department.

Notable faculty: 

• Elizabeth Cullingford: Scholar specializing in 19th-century British literature and gender studies.

Lesser-Known Top Schools for English and Literature in the US

#1 University of California Santa Barbara

Location: Santa Barbara, California
Tuition: $14,417 in-state, $44,171 out-of-state 

With over 30 faculty members, numerous research centers, and ongoing projects, UCSB’s English department fosters a culture of collaboration, consistently pioneering innovative approaches to humanities research, creative-critical endeavors, and projects with a public-facing impact. It’s located on a stunning campus between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains. 

Polygence research program mentors:

Margarita D: I was born in Bulgaria where I attended a competitive American high school with many arts programs. In the US, I attended Franklin & Marshall College for my BA in English and Philosophy. I continued to receive an MFA in Creative Writing at New York University, and I published a book of poems. I am pursuing my PhD in Comparative Literature at UC, Santa Barbara, where I teach at the College of Creative Studies and the Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies. My interests include contemporary poetry, European literature, avant-garde art, the interaction of text and image, dance studies, and performance art. I love discussing stimulating literature and art and working with others to create new works.

#2 University of Pittsburgh

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tuition: $20,292 in-state, $34,882 out-of-state

Pitt's Department of English offers diverse literary studies and creative writing programs. The program's commitment to interdisciplinary exploration and its strong focus on literary theory make it a lesser-known but dynamic choice for English and literature students.

Notable faculty: 

• Dawn Lundy Martin: Poet and scholar focusing on African American literature and critical race studies.

#3 George Mason University

Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Tuition: $13,014 in-state, $36,474 out-of-state

GMU's Department of English combines traditional literary studies with innovative approaches to the digital humanities. The program's emphasis on exploring literature in the context of evolving technologies makes it a lesser-known but forward-thinking choice for literature enthusiasts.

Notable faculty: 

• Douglas Eyman: Scholar of digital rhetoric and professional writing.

#4 University of Delaware

Location: Newark, Delaware
Tuition: $15,080 in-state, $34,310 out-of-state

UD's Department of English offers literature enthusiasts a supportive and collaborative environment. The program's commitment to diverse literary studies and its emphasis on community engagement make it a lesser-known but impactful choice for students seeking a close-knit academic community.

#5 University of New Mexico

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tuition: $7,633 in-state, $22,812 out-of-state

UNM's Department of English offers a unique blend of traditional and cutting-edge literary studies. The program's commitment to exploring the literature of the American Southwest and its vibrant creative writing community make it a lesser-known but distinctive choice for literature enthusiasts.

#6 University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Tuition: $9,690 in-state, $25,038 out-of-state

UNL's Department of English offers a diverse and inclusive community for literary studies. The program's commitment to interdisciplinary exploration and its strong focus on community engagement make it a lesser-known but impactful choice for students seeking a unique and supportive academic environment.

#7 University of Memphis

Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Tuition: $9,317 in-state, $21,029 out-of-state

The University of Memphis's Department of English offers a welcoming and collaborative space for literature enthusiasts. The program's emphasis on Southern literature, cultural studies, and creative writing makes it a lesser-known but distinctive choice for students seeking a personalized academic experience.

These lesser-known schools may only sometimes be in the spotlight, but they offer exceptional programs in English and literature, providing students with unique opportunities for literary exploration and academic growth. As you explore options, consider the specific strengths, faculty expertise, and cultural engagement each school provides to find the best fit for your literary aspirations.

A Note on Tuition 

While tuition costs are undeniably a practical consideration, they should not solely dictate the choice of a school. The value of education encompasses a spectrum beyond monetary figures. It's crucial to prioritize factors such as the quality of faculty, the program's reputation, available resources, and the overall learning environment. 

Investing in an institution that aligns with your academic and career goals, fosters personal growth, and provides ample opportunities for hands-on experiences can outweigh the immediate financial concerns. Education is an investment in one's future, and the long-term benefits of a well-suited academic environment often surpass the initial financial constraints. Therefore, it is vital to request more information and conduct a holistic evaluation of the school's offerings and their alignment with your aspirations should precede the upfront cost.

How Do You Decide Which Program is Best for You?

Choosing the right English and literature degree program involves considering various factors to ensure a fulfilling academic journey. Here are essential steps to guide your decision:

• Explore the curriculum for a broad range of courses, ensuring they match your interests, whether in creative writing, literary analysis, or cultural studies.

• Investigate faculty profiles, focusing on expertise, publications, and undergraduate research projects, to find an undergraduate program with knowledgeable mentors in your preferred literary field. You can also visit campus to talk to alumni, students, and faculty to seek guidance and request information about a program.

• Explore extracurricular offerings like writing workshops, literary events, and study abroad programs to enhance your educational experience. You can also seek career services to request information and guidance from seasoned professionals.

• Assess the program's emphasis on practical skills, including internships and industry connections, to prepare for a successful career in English studies and literature.

By considering these factors, you can find a program that aligns with your academic and career goals, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.