General Literature
CIP Code: 23.1401A general literature degree prepares graduates for careers in English language and literature teachers, postsecondary, Editors, Writers and authors. 62 colleges and universities offer this program.
General Literature Salary by College
Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $46,173 four years after graduating (middle half: $26,191–$63,857). Where you study it matters: across 8 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $36,986 to $58,051.
Sort by:
| # | College | 4 yrs after | Wage-adjusted | 1 yr after | Median debt | Outcome Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pace University New York, NY | $58,051 | $55,253 | $25,758 | $26,000 | B+ |
| 2 | American University Washington, DC | $54,436 | $47,700 | $23,164 | $26,105 | A |
| 3 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY | $49,153 | $46,783 | — | $24,400 | F |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA | $45,749 | $46,527 | $23,868 | $27,000 | A |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, PA | $45,749 | $46,527 | $23,868 | $27,000 | B+ |
| 4 | University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Greensburg, PA | $45,749 | $46,527 | $23,868 | $27,000 | B |
| 7 | The New School New York, NY | $42,674 | $40,617 | $25,618 | $22,497 | C |
| 8 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ | $36,986 | $38,004 | — | — | C |
Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.
What Can You Do With a General Literature Degree?
Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:
Best Colleges for General Literature
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in general literature.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of the South | Sewanee, TN | 41 | B |
| 2 | American University | Washington, DC | 39 | B |
| 3 | The New School | New York, NY | 32 | B |
| 4 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford, OH | 25 | B |
| 5 | Connecticut State Community College | Hartford, CT | 26 | C |
Largest General Literature Programs
Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most general literature graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of the South | Sewanee, TN | 41 | B |
| 2 | American University | Washington, DC | 39 | B |
| 3 | The New School | New York, NY | 32 | B |
| 4 | Connecticut State Community College | Hartford, CT | 26 | C |
| 5 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford, OH | 25 | B |
About General Literature
General Literature is a degree program offered at 62 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 396 students graduate with this degree.
Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as english language and literature teachers, postsecondary, editors, writers and authors.