Best Schools for Literature

Literature graduates earn a median of $28,232 within two years of graduation, ranking #245 out of 292 tracked majors — 20% below the median across all fields. There are 9 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 275 recent graduates.

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.

9
Schools
$28,232
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#245
of 292 Majors
275
Graduates

Public vs Private: Literature

Public (5 schools)
$29,498
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (3 schools)
$25,349
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Literature, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Literature by State

Top Literature Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
U

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg, PA · Public

$33,687
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,135
Grads: 45
Acceptance: 97.9%
#2
U

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

$33,687
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,135
Grads: 45
Acceptance: 95.9%
#3
U

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$33,687
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,135
Grads: 45
Acceptance: 49.7%
#4
A

American University

Washington, DC · Private

$32,563
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,528
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 47.4%
#5
G

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ · For-Profit

$30,554
2yr Earnings
1yr: $21,664
Grads: 48
Acceptance: 60.4%
#6
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 8.7%
#7
P

Pace University

New York, NY · Private

$21,781
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 77.1%
#8
T

The New School

New York, NY · Private

$21,703
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,592
Grads: 42
Acceptance: 62.5%
#9
S

SUNY at Purchase College

Purchase, NY · Public

$21,234
2yr Earnings
1yr: $20,339
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 72.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Literature?
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg ranks #1 for Literature with median graduate earnings of $33,687 within two years. There are 9 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Literature graduates earn?
Literature graduates earn an average of $28,232 within two years of graduation. This is 20% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $21,234 to $33,687 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 $25,349 in early earnings vs $29,498 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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