Education
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $78,760
- Outlook
- Little or no change
Doctoral or professional degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Instructing
- Writing
ProgramsEnglish Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General
CIP23.01
1,250 colleges offer English Language and Literature, General. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 1,250
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $48,773
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $20,000
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 58
- Associate's
- 277
- Bachelor's
- 1,250
- Master's
- 411
- Post-baccalaureate certificate
- 5
- Doctoral
- 142
- First professional
- 2
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 66
What it covers
About English Language and Literature, General
A general program that focuses on the English language, including its history, structure and related communications skills; and the literature and culture of English-speaking peoples.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 23.01.
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 58 | $29,0924 yrs after · 4 colleges | $19,4572 colleges |
| Associate's | 277 | $34,8674 yrs after · 14 colleges | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | 1,250 | $48,7734 yrs after · 553 colleges | $20,000425 colleges |
| Master's | 411 | $61,2694 yrs after · 43 colleges | $32,60612 colleges |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Doctoral | 142 | $66,5864 yrs after · 13 colleges | $48,4022 colleges |
| First professional | 2 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 66 | Not reported | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where English Language and Literature, General graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit · 34 graduates
$82,036
debt not reported
- 2
Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit · 10 graduates
$78,906
debt not reported
- 3
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · 58 graduates
$78,370
debt $15,625
- 4
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · 54 graduates
$78,169
debt not reported
- 5
Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · 39 graduates
$77,847
debt $19,500
- 6
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit · 55 graduates
$74,214
debt $23,000
- 7
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · 40 graduates
$73,929
debt $25,500
- 8
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · 90 graduates
$73,497
debt $11,539
- 9
Bethlehem, PA · Private nonprofit · 11 graduates
$71,474
debt not reported
- 10
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · 22 graduates
$70,766
debt $23,750
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to English Language and Literature, General by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
Education
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Median pay
- $72,040
- Outlook
- Little or no change
Bachelor's degree
- Instructing
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
Office and administrative support
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- Median pay
- $51,120
- Outlook
- Little or no change
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
More in English Language and Literature/Letters
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this areaQuestions about English Language and Literature, General
How many colleges offer English Language and Literature, General?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report English Language and Literature, General at these degree levels: certificate (58 colleges), associate's (277 colleges), bachelor's (1,250 colleges), master's (411 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (5 colleges), doctoral (142 colleges), first professional (2 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (66 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do English Language and Literature, General graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in English Language and Literature, General earn $48,773 a year four years after finishing, across 553 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do English Language and Literature, General graduates earn the most?
Stanford University reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in English Language and Literature, General: $82,036 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.