Best Schools for Literature

Literature graduates earn a median of $47,318 within four years of graduating, ranking #245 out of 283 tracked majors — 24% below the median across all fields. There are 9 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 275 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Pace University graduates earn $58,051 while Grand Canyon University graduates earn $36,986 — a $21,065 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is strong: Literature graduates see an average 20% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$47,318

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#245

of 283 Majors

275

Graduates

Public vs Private: Literature

Public (5 schools)

$46,600

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (3 schools)

$51,720

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $5,120 more in early earnings on average for Literature graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Literature by State

Top Literature Schools by Graduate Earnings

Pace University

New York, NY · Private

American University

Washington, DC · Private

$54,436

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

2yr: $32,563 (22)

1yr: $38,528 (20)

Acceptance: 47.4%

SUNY at Purchase College

Purchase, NY · Public

$49,153

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $21,234 (27)

1yr: $20,339 (30)

Acceptance: 72.8%

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg, PA · Public

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

The New School

New York, NY · Private

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ · For-Profit

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 8.7%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Bible/Biblical Studies $28,836 Biology, General $28,687 Historic Preservation and Conservation $28,581 Communications Technology/Technician $28,382 Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services $28,315 Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics $28,214

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Literature?

Pace University ranks #1 for Literature with median graduate earnings of $58,051 within four years of graduating. There are 9 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Literature graduates earn?

Literature graduates earn an average of $47,318 within four years of graduating. This is 24% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $36,986 to $58,051 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Literature program?

The average acceptance rate across Literature programs is 63.6%. The most selective program is at University of California-Los Angeles with a 8.7% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Literature?

Private Literature programs average $51,720 in early earnings vs $46,600 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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