Ranking of English Language and Literature Graduate Programs

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  • Programs are ranked by their score, a weighted sum of the items you chose. (Details)
  • Descriptions of each item are listed at the bottom of the page. (You can also see a description by mousing over items at the top of the table.)
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  • A positive weight means that you prefer larger values for the item. A negative weight means that you prefer smaller values for the item.
  • Green values are at least one standard deviation better than the mean. Red values are at least one standard deviation worse than the mean.
  • Data sources can be found below.

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Your Ranking of English Language and Literature Graduate Schools

Click on a program to see a detailed profile
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-3)
Job
(2)
UG Acc
(-1)
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1.English Language and Literature, University of Virginia-Main Campus22.07.974%4.34.6$13,40515.2712.938%670655
2.English Language and Literature, Cornell University20.25.976%4.44.5$16,96910.4481.727%710675
2.English Language and Literature, Stanford University20.27.080%4.34.6$17,08414.2412.412%735720
4.English Language and Literature, Columbia University in the City of New York19.58.172%3.94.5$16,60024.4486.013%725715
5.English Language and Literature, Yale University19.26.763%4.44.8$16,5269.0501.810%740740
6.English Language and Literature, Harvard University16.16.776%4.14.8$17,4258.4343.99%745745
7.English Language and Literature, University of Washington-Seattle Campus15.96.264%3.53.5$12,62614.2573.267%610590
8.English Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania15.87.275%4.24.5$18,17110.8492.521%725705
9.English Language and Literature, Purdue University-Main Campus15.77.168%3.12.8$12,05627.0493.285%590555
10.English Language and Literature, University of California-Berkeley15.38.072%4.54.8$24,52128.0623.525%685645
11.English Language and Literature, Duke University15.26.862%4.04.6$16,36113.0354.022%725705
12.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Buffalo13.46.447%3.53.4$11,95921.0405.056%595565
13.English Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison13.17.962%3.73.5$12,64018.0462.871%650615
14.English Language and Literature, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign12.98.165%3.43.4$14,71415.6722.068%675615
14.English Language and Literature, Vanderbilt University12.94.986%3.13.3$17,0563.8290.435%695675
16.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Binghamton12.45.759%3.02.7$12,09311.6311.643%650615
17.English Language and Literature, University of Maryland-College Park12.38.261%3.33.2$14,38215.0731.949%650625
18.English Language and Literature, Indiana University-Bloomington12.08.068%3.63.8$13,21615.6713.885%560550
19.English Language and Literature, Brown University11.87.779%3.84.0$16,2028.2302.615%725710
20.English Language and Literature, University of California-Los Angeles11.37.173%4.04.1$24,00717.4662.123%665630
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-3)
Job
(2)
UG Acc
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21.English Language and Literature, University of Notre Dame11.16.786%2.92.8$14,9925.8381.432%700685
22.English Language and Literature, University of South Carolina-Columbia11.06.168%3.02.9$13,03613.0432.367%580570
23.English Language and Literature, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus10.96.758%3.23.1$13,81216.4442.358%610580
24.English Language and Literature, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities10.77.572%3.73.2$12,80512.8382.770%630600
25.English Language and Literature, New York University10.07.746%3.63.8$18,35727.2313.537%665665
26.English Language and Literature, University of Chicago9.98.281%4.24.4$17,97711.0345.740%715725
26.English Language and Literature, University of Georgia9.98.584%2.92.9$12,50018.2322.562%615610
28.English Language and Literature, Princeton University9.87.264%3.94.1$17,8058.4222.411%745735
29.English Language and Literature, The University of Texas at Austin9.47.758%3.43.5$22,74425.0761.451%630605
30.English Language and Literature, University of Oregon9.25.784%3.02.7$13,2849.2372.491%560555
31.English Language and Literature, Michigan State University9.16.961%2.72.8$11,00613.8462.976%585555
32.English Language and Literature, Johns Hopkins University8.37.283%4.04.3$16,0054.8114.535%705680
33.English Language and Literature, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor8.26.269%2.8*2.7*$14,3999.632*2.8*57%680640
34.English Language and Literature, Emory University8.05.961%3.23.3$16,2968.2263.539%700680
35.English Language and Literature, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway7.88.569%3.73.9$14,98213.6514.661%615580
36.English Language and Literature, Ohio State University-Main Campus7.76.553%3.33.3$15,07210.4653.173%580560
37.English Language and Literature, University of Nebraska at Lincoln7.66.767%2.82.5$15,94014.4551.775%605595
38.English Language and Literature, Stony Brook University7.27.274%3.03.0$12,37010.4325.151%610570
39.English Language and Literature, University of Missouri-Columbia6.77.280%2.82.8$12,2688.8342.583%595600
40.English Language and Literature, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill6.38.768%3.53.4$19,15318.2554.536%650640
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-3)
Job
(2)
UG Acc
(-1)
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41.English Language and Literature, University of Southern Mississippi6.16.161%2.32.2$9,0417.2241.537%520525
42.English Language and Literature, University of Florida5.86.245%3.33.2$14,42610.4303.557%640620
43.English Language and Literature, Wayne State University5.76.263%2.52.4$12,6435.4391.063%609*594*
44.English Language and Literature, Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus5.55.562%1.20.9$16,89539.4165.355%515525
45.English Language and Literature, University of Louisiana at Lafayette5.05.734%1.81.7$7,5479.6281.976%609*594*
46.English Language and Literature, Illinois State University4.86.777%1.81.7$10,0455.4361.677%609*594*
47.English Language and Literature, University of Kansas Main Campus4.77.744%3.02.7$11,53312.2412.569%609*594*
48.English Language and Literature, Northwestern University4.46.750%3.43.4$17,2405.8251.730%715695
49.English Language and Literature, University of Utah3.97.269%2.8*2.7*$11,6406.232*2.8*86%609*594*
50.English Language and Literature, Marquette University3.86.253%2.8*2.7*$11,1743.032*2.8*70%600595
51.English Language and Literature, Rice University3.47.765%3.03.0$15,5064.8212.725%725710
52.English Language and Literature, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus3.09.174%3.33.4$14,9479.8322.049%625610
53.English Language and Literature, CUNY Graduate School and University Center2.98.170%3.63.8$21,642*22.0416.861%*609*594*
54.English Language and Literature, Brandeis University2.76.769%3.13.1$15,3166.2126.340%675675
55.English Language and Literature, University of Denver2.54.970%2.31.7$15,3768.4211.382%585580
56.English Language and Literature, The University of Tennessee2.47.269%2.82.7$13,7745.6352.144%555555
57.English Language and Literature, Washington University in St Louis2.17.354%3.23.0$16,9386.4224.419%730710
58.English Language and Literature, University of Delaware2.07.347%2.8*2.7*$11,6915.832*2.8*47%610595
59.English Language and Literature, University of Nevada-Las Vegas1.66.075%2.8*2.7*$13,1802.632*2.8*81%515500
59.English Language and Literature, University of South Dakota1.65.766%*2.8*2.7*$12,3661.232*2.8*86%530525
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-3)
Job
(2)
UG Acc
(-1)
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61.English Language and Literature, University of Kentucky1.48.067%3.03.0$12,0086.4292.579%575565
61.English Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee1.47.570%3.23.3$19,56011.4472.089%609*594*
63.English Language and Literature, University of Louisville1.15.965%*2.8*2.7*$14,827*5.032*2.8*81%550555
63.English Language and Literature, University of Miami1.16.763%2.62.6$15,2555.6170.946%640620
65.English Language and Literature, University of New Mexico-Main Campus0.28.253%2.8*2.7*$12,26413.232*2.8*74%535540
66.English Language and Literature, University of Hawaii at Manoa0.17.2*65%*2.8*2.7*$11,857*1.832*2.8*65%570535
66.English Language and Literature, University of Massachusetts-Amherst0.19.069%3.13.2$17,64513.0572.880%575565
66.English Language and Literature, University of North Dakota0.14.965%*2.01.2$11,3431.8232.169%545520
69.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Albany0.06.763%2.8*2.7*$16,2317.632*2.8*56%575555
70.English Language and Literature, Washington State University-0.15.965%2.52.2$13,8544.2262.374%560545
71.English Language and Literature, The University of Alabama-0.26.950%2.62.4$13,0776.4382.374%565565
72.English Language and Literature, George Washington University-0.56.960%2.12.4$14,6164.2231.938%640640
72.English Language and Literature, University of Southern California-0.59.067%3.43.4$16,5727.8236.227%690665
74.English Language and Literature, Texas Christian University-0.65.043%2.32.1$12,7034.8142.867%590575
75.English Language and Literature, Florida State University-0.87.762%2.32.2$14,92912.2332.762%585575
75.English Language and Literature, Miami University-Oxford-0.87.056%2.82.5$16,3976.4340.969%625605
75.English Language and Literature, Northeastern University-0.86.758%2.8*2.7*$15,7392.032*2.8*47%625605
78.English Language and Literature, University of Illinois at Chicago-1.18.773%2.62.8$15,47611.0292.858%605570
79.English Language and Literature, Ohio University-Main Campus-1.26.563%2.11.7$13,98914.2151.589%545545
79.English Language and Literature, Texas Tech University-1.25.964%2.11.7$15,9728.2301.571%575555
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
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81.English Language and Literature, Southern Illinois University Carbondale-1.46.250%2.11.6$11,63614.4133.877%520520
81.English Language and Literature, University of Houston-1.45.735%2.52.2$15,25212.4352.781%550520
83.English Language and Literature, Iowa State University-1.67.2*65%*2.8*2.7*$14,850*4.032*2.8*90%620595
84.English Language and Literature, Kent State University-Kent Campus-1.77.779%2.32.1$12,8008.6302.594%515515
85.English Language and Literature, Northern Illinois University-2.08.782%2.11.9$11,9885.6401.670%538520
86.English Language and Literature, Boston College-2.18.744%*2.92.7$14,2662.4340.831%680655
86.English Language and Literature, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College-2.16.743%3.02.8$21,51016.2472.478%600575
88.English Language and Literature, Carnegie Mellon University-2.37.2*65%*3.33.0$19,737*3.8162.839%720660
89.English Language and Literature, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus-2.56.540%*2.42.6$14,1352.8400.672%570560
90.English Language and Literature, University of Rochester-2.68.167%3.03.1$17,0286.0184.746%670650
91.English Language and Literature, Duquesne University-2.78.767%2.8*2.7*$12,5265.432*2.8*80%565560
92.English Language and Literature, Lehigh University-3.07.345%2.31.6$12,9266.6163.441%680640
93.English Language and Literature, West Virginia University-3.17.986%1.61.6$11,0013.0301.089%545525
94.English Language and Literature, Teachers College at Columbia University-3.57.2*65%*2.8*2.7*$17,526*3.832*2.8*61%*609*594*
95.English Language and Literature, University of Nevada-Reno-3.76.960%2.8*2.7*$15,6025.632*2.8*86%535525
96.English Language and Literature, Boston University-3.98.341%3.33.2$17,2374.0382.055%655645
96.English Language and Literature, Tufts University-3.98.754%3.02.6$16,5795.8163.028%705700
98.English Language and Literature, Auburn University Main Campus-4.36.980%2.12.1$16,8843.0320.982%570550
98.English Language and Literature, University of Mississippi Main Campus-4.38.771%2.02.0$10,8206.4252.081%540535
98.English Language and Literature, Western Michigan University-4.36.675%2.8*2.7*$20,4224.632*2.8*85%609*594*
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
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Job
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UG Acc
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101.English Language and Literature, University of Arizona-4.47.568%3.02.8$17,4685.0322.088%565560
101.English Language and Literature, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus-4.46.254%2.22.3$17,2045.4261.086%609*594*
103.English Language and Literature, Temple University-4.58.355%2.82.8$15,9396.0421.763%550540
104.English Language and Literature, University of California-Irvine-4.67.088%3.64.0$26,9587.8243.852%620580
105.English Language and Literature, New Mexico State University-Main Campus-4.77.2*65%*2.8*2.7*$14,956*4.032*2.8*81%500500
106.English Language and Literature, University of Arkansas Main Campus-4.86.764%1.91.5$12,6532.4191.287%580575
107.English Language and Literature, University of Dallas-4.910.775%2.8*2.7*$11,4592.832*2.8*81%595640
108.English Language and Literature, University of California-San Diego-5.15.954%3.33.2$26,93111.4222.039%655605
109.English Language and Literature, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus-5.26.064%2.41.8$16,3144.4291.390%515515
109.English Language and Literature, University of Connecticut-5.29.364%2.92.3$14,7907.0334.251%600585
111.English Language and Literature, Ball State University-5.38.775%1.91.5$11,4218.2210.980%520520
112.English Language and Literature, University of Memphis-5.47.2*63%*2.8*2.7*$15,263*0.632*2.8*71%538530
113.English Language and Literature, Case Western Reserve University-5.56.745%2.32.1$14,7363.4144.168%690650
114.English Language and Literature, Baylor University-6.06.765%1.31.2$13,4773.8131.066%605595
115.English Language and Literature, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus-6.36.969%2.82.4$21,07310.6282.191%560550
116.English Language and Literature, Idaho State University-6.78.3100%0.80.7$13,9662.2230.561%*609*594*
117.English Language and Literature, Howard University-7.17.275%2.31.6$15,8242.2122.347%565560
118.English Language and Literature, The University of Texas at Arlington-7.27.2*66%*2.31.8$12,658*3.0184.879%545515
118.English Language and Literature, Tulane University of Louisiana-7.28.752%2.32.3$15,8794.6233.545%680670
120.English Language and Literature, Georgia State University-7.37.875%2.8*2.7*$21,3608.032*2.8*56%550540
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Department
 
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121.English Language and Literature, Texas A & M University-8.08.757%2.8*2.7*$20,37212.032*2.8*70%615585
122.English Language and Literature, University of Central Florida-9.07.2*63%*2.8*2.7*$19,879*0.632*2.8*62%575565
123.English Language and Literature, University of North Carolina at Greensboro-9.25.768%2.21.9$22,6378.2282.078%520520
124.English Language and Literature, University of North Texas-9.46.929%2.12.1$17,1355.6431.869%555545
125.English Language and Literature, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-9.76.754%2.21.7$17,5476.2171.977%565545
126.English Language and Literature, University of Iowa-9.87.745%3.13.1$24,24411.2443.084%600585
127.English Language and Literature, University of Rhode Island-9.97.758%2.51.8$14,3214.8206.079%550535
128.English Language and Literature, University of California-Riverside-10.35.761%3.13.3$27,9769.0313.474%565510
129.English Language and Literature, Middle Tennessee State University-10.64.675%1.00.6$21,4733.6220.571%555545
130.English Language and Literature, Saint Louis University-Main Campus-10.77.358%2.62.6$20,9335.0151.576%610600
130.English Language and Literature, University of California-Santa Barbara-10.77.285%3.43.3$29,7965.0332.553%600580
132.English Language and Literature, University of Toledo-11.58.255%1.31.7$15,1382.6221.461%*609*594*
133.English Language and Literature, Texas Woman's University-11.67.2*65%*0.80.8$11,193*3.8112.564%480485
134.English Language and Literature, Loyola University Chicago-12.28.948%2.52.1$17,1274.4281.674%585590
134.English Language and Literature, University of California-Davis-12.26.765%2.83.0$28,0438.4253.255%615565
136.English Language and Literature, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus-14.95.050%1.61.1$20,2835.61510.251%565555
137.English Language and Literature, University of South Florida-16.29.673%1.31.4$22,28013.8243.428%565555
138.English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa-17.18.253%2.52.0$22,2453.8132.275%630620
139.English Language and Literature, Fordham University-18.58.757%1.81.6$19,5504.2176.450%590600
140.English Language and Literature, University of California-Santa Cruz-18.87.243%3.03.1$29,0336.4140.369%585580
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
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141.English Language and Literature, Syracuse University-22.58.70%2.32.5$21,252*2.6270.665%620595
142.English Language and Literature, University of Colorado at Boulder-24.111.032%3.03.0$23,1983.6352.188%600580
143.English Language and Literature, Drew University-27.28.170%0.80.8$26,0753.6123.877%595605
144.English Language and Literature, Catholic University of America-27.79.755%1.51.1$21,6993.6103.982%565580
145.English Language and Literature, St. John's University-New York-33.58.063%0.91.1$29,6442.2113.262%530515
146.English Language and Literature, Claremont Graduate University-42.57.848%2.42.3$38,360*5.8317.761%*609*594*

Item Descriptions

Your Score
Your customized program score is a weighted sum of points for each item. The weights were selected on this page. For an item with importance weight W, a program receives W × S points for being S standard deviations above average. Larger values are better.
Years to Degree (Yrs)
Median time lapse from entering graduate school at the doctorate-granting institution to receipt of doctorate in years. Note that time spent obtaining a master's degree at a different institution is not counted. Your weight = -3. Smaller values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Placement Rate (Job)
Percentage of doctorate recipients from the program with definite plans at graduation (either a job or a postdoctoral position). Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Educational Effectiveness (Ed Eff)
Program effectiveness in educating research scholars and scientists, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not Effective" and 5 denoting "Extremely Effective." Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Faculty Quality (Fac Qual)
Scholarly quality of program faculty, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not sufficient for doctoral education" and 5 denoting "Distinguished." Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Cost Per Year (Cost / Year)
Low yearly cost (tuition, fees, room and board, other expenses) for an out of state student living on campus. Assumes median tuition remission. Your weight = -5. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Doctorates Granted per Year (Deg / Yr)
The average number of doctorates granted by the program per year between 2001 and 2005. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -1. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (UG Acc)
The percentage of applicants the institution accepts into its undergraduate programs. Your weight = -1. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Math SAT Score (SAT-M)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile mathematics SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 1. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Verbal SAT Score (SAT-V)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile verbal SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 1. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Missing Values
Missing values have been replaced with the average value for all programs in the field.

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
IPEDS is an annual, comprehensive set of surveys of all colleges and universities in the United States. The surveys are conducted by the National Center for Education StatisticsLearn more
National Research Council
The National Research Council conducts assessments of doctoral programs in the United States every 10 to 15 years). The data we use are from the most recent assessment, the 1995 study Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change. Learn more about the NRC study's methods here; order a copy here. The next NRC assessment is scheduled for release in Summer 2009.  Learn more
Survey of Earned Doctorates
The NSF/NIH/NEH/USED/USDA/NASA Survey of Earned Doctorates is an annual survey of all new recipients of doctorates from US universities at graduation. The average of the response rates for the 2000–2004 surveys was 92%.  Learn more
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
The Survey is an annual assessment of the number and characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in science, engineering, and health-related fields. It is conducted by the National Science FoundationLearn more
* Value is missing. The value shown is based on the average for other programs in the same field. Learn more.
Data are for all English Language and Literature degree recipients from the institution and may include graduates from more than one program.
The graduate school rankings on PhDs.org have been made possible by
grants from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and The Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
The Center for Science and the Media served as the project's fiscal sponsor.