Best Colleges for English

English is the major that forces you to defend your choice at every family dinner. The perception is that it is impractical, that it leads nowhere except teaching, and that anyone can read and write without spending four years studying it. All three assumptions are wrong, but the English department bears some responsibility for the misperception. Programs that fail to connect literary analysis and writing skills to career outcomes are doing their students a disservice.

The programs on this list develop genuinely exceptional writers, readers, and thinkers, and they help students understand why those skills matter in a labor market that increasingly values clear communication, content creation, and the ability to make sense of complex information.

Our Methodology

Writing intensity and quality of instruction. English programs should make you a dramatically better writer than when you entered. We prioritize programs with small seminar classes, frequent writing assignments with detailed feedback, and faculty who are themselves accomplished writers or scholars.

Creative writing and publishing opportunities. Programs with literary magazines, publishing labs, writer-in-residence programs, and active creative writing tracks provide portfolio-building opportunities that connect directly to careers in publishing, media, and content creation.

Career outcome support. English departments that help students articulate the professional value of their skills and connect them to employers in publishing, media, tech, government, and business produce better outcomes than those focused exclusively on literary scholarship.

Net cost. English graduates' salaries vary widely by career path. Programs that keep costs manageable relative to realistic career earnings serve students better.

Top English Programs

Yale University

Yale's English department is one of the most storied in the country. The department covers British, American, and postcolonial literatures with extraordinary depth. The creative writing concentration, led by accomplished authors, provides mentorship that is hard to find elsewhere. The Yale Literary Magazine and other student publications offer regular publishing opportunities. Financial aid is generous and loan-free.

Stanford University

Stanford's English department combines literary scholarship with a strong creative writing program that has produced numerous acclaimed authors. The Stegner Fellowship program, while primarily for graduate students, creates a literary culture on campus that enriches the undergraduate experience. The department also offers courses in digital humanities and narrative studies that connect English skills to technology-sector careers. Stanford meets full demonstrated need.

University of Michigan

Michigan's English department is one of the largest in the country, offering specializations in literary studies, creative writing, and English language and literature. The MFA program in creative writing is highly regarded, and undergraduate creative writers benefit from the same faculty. The Michigan Quarterly Review and other campus publications provide real publishing experience. In-state tuition makes Michigan an excellent value.

University of Iowa

Iowa's reputation in creative writing is unmatched. The Iowa Writers' Workshop is the most famous creative writing program in the world, and while it is a graduate program, its presence shapes the entire literary culture of the university. Undergraduate English and creative writing students benefit from visiting writers, readings, and a campus that treats writing as a serious art. Iowa's in-state tuition is affordable.

Columbia University

Columbia's English department benefits from the university's New York City location. The publishing industry, media companies, literary agencies, and cultural institutions are accessible for internships, networking, and career entry. The department's literary magazine, Columbia Journal, is well-regarded. Financial aid meets full demonstrated need. The Core Curriculum ensures English majors also develop broad intellectual foundations.

Princeton University

Princeton's English department, like its history department, emphasizes the junior paper and senior thesis. English majors produce substantial independent scholarship under faculty mentorship. This intensive research and writing experience is exceptional preparation for graduate school, law school, or any career requiring sophisticated written communication. Financial aid is generous and loan-free.

University of Virginia

UVA's English department has particular strengths in American literature, southern literature, and creative writing. The small seminar format in upper-division courses ensures personalized feedback on writing. The Virginia Quarterly Review, published at UVA, provides proximity to a respected literary publication. In-state tuition is competitive.

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley's English department covers an enormous range of literary traditions and critical approaches. The department's research output is prolific, and undergraduates who seek out faculty mentorship can engage with leading-edge literary scholarship. The Bay Area's media and publishing ecosystem provides career connections. In-state UC tuition applies.

Kenyon College

Kenyon is a small liberal arts college with an English department that punches far above its weight. The Kenyon Review, one of the most respected literary magazines in the country, is based on campus. The student-to-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship. Kenyon produces a disproportionate number of graduates who go on to careers in publishing, media, and academia. Financial aid varies but can be substantial.

What to Look For in an English Program

Small class sizes in upper-division courses. English education improves through writing and receiving feedback. Classes of 15-20 students allow for seminar-style discussion and individualized attention to your writing. If upper-division courses have 50+ students and use TAs for grading, you are not getting the education an English major should provide.

Creative writing offerings. Whether or not you want to be a novelist, creative writing courses develop narrative skills, voice, and audience awareness that transfer to any writing-intensive career. Programs with dedicated creative writing tracks, workshops, and visiting writers provide stronger preparation.

Publishing and media connections. Literary magazines, campus publications, publishing internships, and alumni networks in media and publishing connect English skills to career opportunities.

Digital and professional writing options. Programs that offer courses in technical writing, digital rhetoric, content strategy, or professional communication prepare students for the widest range of careers.

Affordable Options Worth Considering

University of Iowa offers strong English and creative writing programs at very affordable in-state tuition in the most writing-intensive campus culture in the country.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides a comprehensive English program at competitive in-state rates, with strengths in American literature and creative writing.

University of Texas at Austin combines a large, well-resourced English department with affordable in-state tuition and access to Austin's creative and media industries.

University of Florida has a solid English program at one of the lowest in-state tuition rates for a major research university, with a growing creative writing track.

For a complete overview of the major, see our English degree guide and English careers. Students comparing English to related fields should read our English vs communications comparison. For salary information, see our English salary breakdown and the guide on how to choose a major.

FAQ

Is an English degree worth it?

An English degree provides genuinely valuable skills: advanced writing, critical analysis, research, and the ability to synthesize complex information clearly. These skills are in demand across industries. The degree is worth it if you attend an affordable program and actively develop career plans during college. It is a poor investment if you take on heavy debt with no plan for how you will use the skills.

What jobs can you get with an English degree?

English graduates work as editors, writers, content strategists, marketing professionals, public relations specialists, journalists, teachers, professors, lawyers, UX writers, technical writers, publishing professionals, communications managers, and corporate trainers. Many enter fields where the job title does not mention English but the core skills are essential.

Do English majors make good money?

Starting salaries are moderate ($38,000-$50,000 for most entry-level positions), but mid-career earnings vary enormously depending on career path. English majors who enter law, corporate communications, or technology companies can earn well into six figures. Writers and authors earned a median of $73,690 in May 2024², though this includes wide variation. The degree's financial value depends on what you do with it.

Is English a good pre-law major?

Excellent. English majors consistently score among the highest on the LSAT because the skills overlap significantly: close reading, argument analysis, evidence evaluation, and persuasive writing. Law schools do not require any specific major, but the analytical reading and writing skills from an English degree provide strong preparation for legal education and practice.

Should I major in English or communications?

English focuses on literary analysis, creative writing, and critical thinking through texts. Communications focuses on media production, public relations, journalism, and strategic messaging. If you love reading, writing, and deep analysis of texts, choose English. If you want hands-on media production and more direct career preparation in PR or media, choose communications. See our English vs communications comparison.

Is a creative writing MFA necessary for a writing career?

An MFA provides dedicated time, mentorship, and community for developing your writing. It is not required for a successful writing career. Many acclaimed authors have no MFA. However, for teaching creative writing at the college level, an MFA is typically required. The degree is most valuable when funded (through teaching assistantships) and least valuable when it requires significant debt.

More on this degree:

• English Degree Guide — Overview
• Is It Worth It?
• Career Paths
• Salary Data
• Requirements
• How Hard Is It?
• Internships