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Master's Degree in English Language & Literature

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Master’s Degrees in English Language & Literature

7,909 Yearly Graduations
$40,550 Median Salary
70% Women
A master's degree in English language and literature is offered at 532 colleges in the United States. This degree is more popular with female students, and about 25% of recent graduates were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 4.1% of English language and literature graduates were international students.

Education Levels of English Language & Literature Majors

In 2020-2021, 7,909 earned their master's degree in English language and literature. This earns it the #17 spot on the list of the most popular master's degree programs in the nation.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in English language and literature at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Master’s Degree 7,909
Doctor’s Degree 1,092
Graduate Certificate 565

Earnings of English Language & Literature Majors With Master’s Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in English language and literature is $40,550. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $33,850 to a high of $46,620.

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Student Debt

The data on debt ranges for English language and literature majors who have their master's degree is not available.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their master's degree in English language and literature. About 70.2% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 2,356
Women 5,553
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The racial-ethnic distribution of English language and literature master’s degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 247
Black or African American 560
Hispanic or Latino 820
White 5,211
International Students 327
Other Races/Ethnicities 744
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There are 532 colleges that offer a master’s degree in English language and literature. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, New Hampshire
539 Yearly Graduations
74% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Southern New Hampshire University tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree. Each year, around 134,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,000 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $18,900 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 539 people received their master's degree in English language and literature from SNHU. Of these students, 74% were women and 20% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#2

Full Sail University

Winter Park, Florida
130 Yearly Graduations
58% Women
52% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 2nd most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is Full Sail University. Roughly 24,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $25,687 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,472 per year. The English language and literature program at Full Sail University awarded 130 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 58% were women and 52% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

118 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Columbia University in the City of New York comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in English language and literature. Each year, around 30,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $59,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $50,496 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 118 people received their master's degree in English language and literature from Columbia. Of these students, 67% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#4

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
115 Yearly Graduations
75% Women
23% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Arizona State University - Skysong comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in English language and literature. Roughly 53,900 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,710 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,774 per year. The English language and literature program at Arizona State University - Skysong awarded 115 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 75% were women.

#5

New York University

New York, New York
96 Yearly Graduations
61% Women
28% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

New York University is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in English language and literature. Roughly 52,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $53,770 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,982 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 96 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at NYU. Of these students, 61% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#6

Vermont College of Fine Arts

Montpelier, Vermont
88 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
13% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 6th most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is Vermont College of Fine Arts. Roughly 300 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 88 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at VCFA. Of these students, 89% were women and 13% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#6

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
88 Yearly Graduations
72% Women
28% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Lindenwood University comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in English language and literature. Roughly 7,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,540 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,684 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 88 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at Lindenwood University. Around 28% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 72% were women.

#8

The New School

New York, New York
83 Yearly Graduations
73% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 8th most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is The New School. Each year, around 9,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $51,122 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $47,920 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 83 people received their master's degree in English language and literature from New School University. About 73% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#9

Emerson College

Boston, Massachusetts
75 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Emerson College is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in English language and literature. Roughly 5,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $50,360 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $31,248 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 75 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at Emerson. About 67% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#10

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
73 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
25% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Johns Hopkins University comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in English language and literature. Roughly 28,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,720 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,720 per year. The English language and literature program at Johns Hopkins University awarded 73 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 63% of this group were women, and 25% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#11

National University

La Jolla, California
68 Yearly Graduations
71% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

National University comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in English language and literature. Each year, around 18,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,320 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,480 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 68 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at National University. Of these students, 71% were women and 34% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#12

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
67 Yearly Graduations
66% Women
34% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 12th most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is San Francisco State University. Roughly 27,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. The English language and literature program at San Francisco State University awarded 67 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 66% were women.

#13

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
65 Yearly Graduations
65% Women
18% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 13th most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is Northern Arizona University. Each year, around 29,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,381 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,724 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 65 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at NAU. Of these students, 65% were women and 18% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#14

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
64 Yearly Graduations
77% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Liberty University is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in English language and literature. Roughly 93,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,409 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,847 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 64 people received their master's degree in English language and literature from Liberty University. Of these students, 77% were women and 19% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
63 Yearly Graduations
63% Women
40% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 15th most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Iowa. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,356 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,432 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 63 people received their master's degree in English language and literature from Iowa. Around 40% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 63% were women.

#16

California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, California
51 Yearly Graduations
51% Women
51% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

California State University - Long Beach is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in English language and literature. Each year, around 40,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. The English language and literature program at California State University - Long Beach awarded 51 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. Of these students, 51% were women and 51% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#16

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
51 Yearly Graduations
73% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 16th most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is North Carolina State University. Roughly 36,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,535 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,095 per year. The English language and literature program at North Carolina State University awarded 51 master's degrees during the 2020-2021 school year. About 73% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#18

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
50 Yearly Graduations
62% Women
30% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 18th most popular school in the country for English language and literature majors who are seeking their master's degree is Texas State University. Roughly 37,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,606 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,147 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 50 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at Texas State. Around 30% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 62% were women.

#19

Chapman University

Orange, California
48 Yearly Graduations
67% Women
31% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Chapman University is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in English language and literature. Each year, around 9,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,250 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $37,538 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 48 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at Chapman. Around 31% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 67% were women.

#20

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
47 Yearly Graduations
68% Women
30% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Harvard University is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in English language and literature. Each year, around 30,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $51,143 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $50,928 per year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 47 master's degrees were handed out to English language and literature majors at Harvard. About 68% of this group were women, and 30% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

English Language & Literature Majors to Study

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
General English Literature 3,951
Writing Studies 3,697
Other English Literature 145
Literature 116

Below are some popular majors that are similar to English language and literature that offer master’s degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Visual & Performing Arts 15,845
Theology & Religious Vocations 14,027
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 2,909
Philosophy & Religious Studies 2,087
Liberal Arts & Humanities 2,044

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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