English Degrees
For those interested in a career in literature, writing or editing, a degree in English is a good fit. A Bachelor of Arts in English includes a foreign language requirement, while a Bachelor of Science in English requires advanced and technical writing courses. Both degree program types typically require coursework that covers grammar, literature reading and assessing, as well as writing and editing. An English degree can be utilized in many fields and in many careers and is available at many levels.
The Top Bachelor's Degree Programs in English
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University | $56058 | 14% | 95% | 55% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 2 | Virginia Military Institute | $19118 | 60% | 79% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 3 | Princeton University | $52800 | 6% | 98% | 63% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles | $13240 | 12% | 92% | 61% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 5 | University of Iowa | $9606 | 83% | 72% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 6 | Binghamton University | $10201 | 41% | 82% | 75% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 7 | University of California-Berkeley | $14253 | 16% | 93% | 63% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 8 | The College of New Jersey | $16923 | 49% | 86% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 9 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | $17935 | 24% | 95% | 57% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $9943 | 28% | 82% | 63% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 11 | Duke University | $57931 | 8% | 95% | 63% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 12 | Dartmouth College | $57204 | 8% | 95% | 62% | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| 13 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $60578 | 5% | 95% | 59% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 14 | Harvard University | $51925 | 5% | 97% | 73% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 15 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $16540 | 23% | 93% | 65% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 16 | The University of Texas at Austin | $10824 | 32% | 86% | 67% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 17 | University of Maryland-College Park | $10779 | 44% | 87% | 66% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 18 | Rice University | $49112 | 9% | 93% | 69% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 19 | Sonoma State University | $7880 | 91% | 62% | 71% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 20 | University of Pennsylvania | $57770 | 8% | 96% | 59% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 21 | Florida State University | $6517 | 36% | 83% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 22 | University of California-Davis | $14495 | 39% | 87% | 66% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 23 | San Jose State University | $7852 | 64% | 64% | 73% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 24 | University of Florida | $6381 | 37% | 88% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 25 | George Mason University | $12564 | 87% | 71% | 74% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 26 | Rutgers University-Camden | $15264 | 79% | 65% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 27 | San Francisco State University | $7266 | 67% | 57% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 28 | California State University-Stanislaus | $7542 | 89% | 59% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 29 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $8980 | 23% | 91% | 65% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 30 | Texas A & M University-College Station | $11361 | 58% | 82% | 76% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 31 | University of Houston | $9221 | 65% | 61% | 87% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 32 | University of Wyoming | $4747 | 96% | 60% | 93% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 33 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $11465 | 52% | 84% | 57% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 34 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | $7462 | 43% | 70% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 35 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | $12028 | 61% | 71% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 36 | University of Utah | $8615 | 62% | 70% | 85% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 37 | CUNY City College | $7340 | 46% | 56% | 87% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 38 | CUNY Hunter College | $7382 | 35% | 57% | 88% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 39 | St. Mary's College of Maryland | $15124 | 84% | 77% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 40 | College of the Holy Cross | $54740 | 34% | 90% | 75% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 41 | University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg | $14148 | 84% | 34% | 96% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 42 | SUNY College at Geneseo | $8927 | 65% | 80% | 84% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 43 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | $9335 | 67% | 52% | 82% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 44 | California State University-Long Beach | $6834 | 39% | 74% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 45 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $10725 | 54% | 88% | 61% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 46 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | $8840 | 82% | 67% | 81% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 47 | CUNY Queens College | $7538 | 49% | 56% | 79% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 48 | University of Mary Washington | $13270 | 75% | 65% | 92% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 49 | Rowan University | $14000 | 74% | 73% | 86% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 50 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $8132 | 80% | 46% | 90% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit our ranking methodology page.
Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
What Kinds of English Degrees Are There?
Many jobs an individual can get with an English degree require a four-year degree from an accredited university, but there are other degree levels available that someone can pursue. The levels of English degrees are as follows: associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, and a PhD or doctoral degree. There are additional programs at the certificate level as well.
Associate Degrees in English
An Associate of Arts (AA) in English is the first level of degree a student can earn. Associate programs can take around 1.5-2 years to complete depending on the course load. Upon completing this program, students will have earned 60 credits. Courses for an English associate degree are typically introductory courses covering basic topics including intro to literature, world literature and introductory grammar classes. Students also begin to develop their writing skills, as most jobs a student can get with an associate degree are heavy writing roles such as a copywriter, public relations specialist, reporter, or author. Students can often find associate programs at community colleges and can transfer credits to a bachelor's program.
Bachelor's Degrees in English
A bachelor's degree in English is the most common choice among students and takes approximately 4 years to complete. This typically amounts to 120 credits or 40 classes. This longer program will delve into more specific kinds of literature and more advanced writing courses. If students pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in English, there will be a requirement for advanced writing courses instead of foreign language courses that are required for Bachelor of Arts programs. Some examples of courses for B.S. programs are American literature, creative writing, and lessons in Shakespeare. This degree often requires a capstone, which is a final project showing what the student learned or a research-based project. Capstone classes and projects are completed closer to the end of the English program or after the student has earned approximately 90 credits.
Master's Degrees in English
A master's degree in English can last 1.5-3 years depending on specializations and full-time or part-time status. Coursework for these programs can range between 30-48 credits, and students can often choose between a thesis track or a non-thesis option. To earn a master's degree, a bachelor's degree is needed as well as admission to a graduate program. With a master's degree in English, there are several career options with a range of salaries that are available. A few examples are writing, editing, researching or teaching. However, English degrees, especially at the master's level, can be applicable in many career fields. Many students who earn a master's degree build upon the degree by attending law school. With a master's degree, it is also a possibility to build upon it with a doctoral degree or Ph.D.
Doctoral Degrees in English
A doctoral degree or PhD in English is the highest level of education in English a student can attain. These programs are completed in around 7 years, but can take less or more time depending on the institution and course of study. Coursework ranges from 60 to 120 credit hours, which is also dependent on different factors of a student's program. While earning a doctoral degree, most institutions require a student teaching or teaching assistant position for credit. Other courses one can expect to take include subjects such as literary criticism, women's studies, and American literature. With a Ph.D. or doctoral degree in English, one can pursue careers as postsecondary teachers, researchers, and writers. If students would like more advanced career options such as a college professor instead of an adjunct professor or high school teacher, a doctoral or PhD in English is necessary.
Certificates in English
A certificate in English is for an area of study or subject that is very specific. These can be topics such as creative writing, literary studies, and rhetoric. Programs are typically 12-18 credit hours and can be earned while working toward a master's degree. A graduate certificate can also be earned in lieu of a master's degree. Graduate certificates don't take as long as a master's degree, and they are less expensive.
English Bachelor's Degree Concentrations
A concentration for a bachelor's degree in English is a narrow field of study or interest within the subject of English. A concentration is added on to an English degree and is completed while a student earns their bachelor's degree. Because of this, no extra coursework is usually required, and the concentration classes a student takes count as credit hours toward their major since it is related to English. A few of the common concentrations complementing a bachelor's degree in English are American literature, journalism, creative writing, literary studies, and women's and gender studies.
Curriculum for a Bachelor's Degree in English
Across different programs, foreign language requirements and writing course requirements will vary depending on if the student is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. General requirement classes, however, are usually the same across multiple institutions and programs. Some of the common classes widely required for an English degree include:
- American Literature
- African American Literature
- Creative Writing
- Shakespeare I and II
- Children's Literature
- Introduction to Grammar
How Long Does it Take to Get a Bachelor's in English?
It typically takes 4 years to earn a bachelor's degree in English. It can take fewer years if more credits are taken each semester and it can take as long as 6 years if fewer credits are taken each semester. Students may also participate in an accelerated program, which expedites the process of getting a degree. If a student participates in a study abroad program or an internship for a semester -- each of these may be required or optional depending on the English program they are enrolled in -- this may elongate their time spent earning their degree. On average, around 120 credits, or about 40 classes, need to be completed to earn the bachelor's degree.
Accreditation for Bachelor's in English Degrees
In order for a program to be accredited, it must be approved by official agencies and meet particular standards of quality. These standards must be met in categories looking at academics, faculty, facilities, and more. Accreditation is important to consider for programs and institutions that students are looking into because accreditation will most likely mean a higher quality education and experience. In addition, students attending accredited universities are able to find financial aid, scholarships and receive loans easier. One example of an agency that accredits English programs is the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation. One of the standards for accreditation for English programs is that students are taught by individuals with the proper qualifications and understanding of grammar, sentence structure, literature and other areas of learning.
Should I Get a Bachelor's Degree in English?
When deciding if a bachelor's degree in English is the right choice, students may need to think about what their academic interests are, and students also need to consider what career they are interested in. If subjects like reading, writing, and grammar are enjoyable, English is a good degree to pursue. If a student enjoys discussing literature as well, this degree is fitting. For any careers involving the aforementioned subjects such as teaching, editing, writing or being a journalist, an English degree is a suitable option.
How to Choose an English School & Bachelor's Program
A good start for finding the perfect college to attend for an English degree is to decide if staying close to home or going out of state is best. Deciding a location may narrow down the scope of universities to choose from. College search websites are a good way to find colleges with the best English programs as another way to narrow down options. Looking at accredited universities is also a good standard for colleges, because of the access to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as well as being higher quality academics. Students should consider proximity of the university, tuition, English programs, facilities, scholarship opportunities, student-to-instructor ratio, and programs and certifications offered.
English Licensure & Certification
For those looking to become a teacher with an English degree, there are a few certifications in addition to a bachelor's degree that are needed. For a high school English teacher, they must pass their state exam that covers different teaching concepts as well as the subjects they want to be certified to teach.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's Degree in English?
Those who have graduated with a degree in English can find jobs in writing, publishing, editing or social media. The most popular are a technical writer, editor, and librarian. Teachers and professors are also common jobs. You can also get a job as a journalist or reporter, but a career in this field will be more accessible with a journalism degree and an internship at a newspaper in college.
How to Become a Technical Writer
A technical writer takes complex or scientific information and writes it in a clear, understood way for documents like instruction manuals, legal and medical documents, and journals. Technical writing is most often a full-time job and can be in any industry. However, given the nature of taking complicated information and writing it in a simplified manner, most technical writers find work in science, technology, medicine and law. Typically, to become a technical writer, a college degree is needed and experience with technical writing and research is beneficial, but not always a requirement. Employers are looking for an employee who is a strong researcher and writes in a clear, concise manner. Strong computer skills and experience with different word processing systems are also desired.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for technical writers was $72,850 in 2019. The BLS reported the employment of technical writers is expected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, which is faster than average. With science and technology always moving forward, technical writers are needed to convey new information, and therefore will be needed for employment in the next decade.
How to Become a High School English Teacher
High school English teachers follow curriculum to teach high school students grammar, literary analysis and other related skills and topics. High school teachers are also an integral part for students' college preparation. High school teachers may take work home such as grading assignments, but typically do not work evenings, weekends, holidays or summers.
The first step to becoming a high school English teacher is to obtain a bachelor's degree in English. During a bachelor's degree program, it is preferred that prospective teachers complete their teaching certification and relevant classes to education, but if no certification is completed through the university, there are programs that a student can be enrolled in after graduation to earn their teaching certification. To officially receive certification, potential teachers must pass their state's exam that covers teaching concepts and different subject matters. It would also be helpful to substitute teach in college, or after college to gain work experience.
The median salary in 2019 for high school teachers was $61,660, as per the BLS. Jobs for high school teachers are expected to grow 4 percent, which is average, due to rising student enrollment.
How to Become an English Professor
An English professor teaches college-level classes about literature, writing, grammar, literary analysis and related subjects. These subjects can either be general or introductory classes for English majors or more niche or advanced courses. Professors typically work at universities, either private or public or community colleges.
If graduates with a B.S. in English wish to teach at a college level or conduct scholarly research, they may want to consider pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in English. To become an English professor, doctorate is usually required, but a master's may be sufficient to teach at the community college level. Graduate students can gain experience by assistant teaching or being an adjunct professor.
According to the BLS, the median salary for postsecondary English educators in 2019 was $68,490. Employment for post secondary English and literature educators is expected to increase by 2 percent from 2019 to 2029.
Financial Aid & Scholarship Information for Bachelor's in English Degrees
For general financial aid for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in English, students will need to fill out and submit a FAFSA form to determine initial eligibility for financial aid. There may also be financial aid opportunities for English majors specifically depending on the university, state, or program of a student.
Students should also research scholarship opportunities that are specially awarded to students majoring in English. For example, Arizona State University awards $1,000 to the student who enters and wins a short story competition for The Jules J. Anatole Creative Writing Scholarship. There are also scholarships that are just for students majoring in English. At Fort Hays State University the English Development Fund Scholarship is an award of different amounts for students majoring in English. There are many opportunities at each institution for students studying English to earn scholarships.
