When searching for an English literature degree program, students should first make sure that the curriculum at the school in which they're interested doesn't rely too much on a single aspect of English. A good program should offer studies in British and American literature, writing, communication, journalism, fiction writing, creative non-fiction and poetry.
Top 10 English Literature Schools
English literature programs are available at varying degree levels. Some of the schools that offer these degree programs are listed below.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2015-2016)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's | $48,611 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $49,536 |
| University of Washington | Seattle, WA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $11,839 (In-state) $34,143 (Out-of-state) |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $45,278 |
| Brown University | Providence, RI | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Doctoral | $49,346 |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $15,192 (In-state) $44,365 (Out-of-state) |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Doctoral | $43,450 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $47,600 |
| College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, MA | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's | $47,176 |
| Columbia University | New York, NY | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $53,000 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
School Selection Criteria
Individuals who are planning on earning a degree in English literature must bear in mind the following considerations when selecting a school:
- Make sure a school's curriculum does not focus too much on one aspect of literature; course offerings ought to show diversity among topics.
- Programs ought to include reading of canonical authors, such as Shakespeare, Pope, Wordsworth, Eliot, Milton, etc.
- Fringe classes like journalism, business writing, copy editing and graphic design may form part of certain programs for those interested in non-academic applications of their degree.
- For hands-on experience, a school should have a student newspaper and, potentially, a student-run literary journal.
Bachelor's degree programs in English literature are widely available in schools across the country, and many universities also offer master's and doctoral degrees. Prospective students should look into the diversity of the curriculum, such as whether it includes courses in journalism and creative writing aside from literature classes when choosing a school.
