Ranking of English Language and Literature Graduate Programs

The rankings below have been generated just for you using the priorities you set on this page. You can change your priorities or get rankings for a different field.


How to Read Your Ranking

  • 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.)
  • Your weight for each item is shown beneath the item at the top of the table. Weights range in magnitude from 0 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
  • 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.

Do you think these rankings are useful? If so, you can help spread the word by linking to phds.org from your own site or blog.
Here is a direct link to your ranking.
Here are some other ways to help us.


Your Ranking of English Language and Literature Graduate Schools

Click on a program to see a detailed profile
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.English Language and Literature, Vanderbilt University38.14.986%3.13.33.8290.435%695675
2.English Language and Literature, Harvard University35.26.776%4.14.88.4343.99%745745
3.English Language and Literature, Johns Hopkins University34.27.283%4.04.34.8114.535%705680
4.English Language and Literature, Cornell University33.45.976%4.44.510.4481.727%710675
5.English Language and Literature, Yale University33.36.763%4.44.89.0501.810%740740
6.English Language and Literature, Princeton University31.87.264%3.94.18.4222.411%745735
7.English Language and Literature, Stanford University31.57.080%4.34.614.2412.412%735720
8.English Language and Literature, Brown University28.87.779%3.84.08.2302.615%725710
9.English Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania26.97.275%4.24.510.8492.521%725705
10.English Language and Literature, University of Notre Dame22.56.786%2.92.85.8381.432%700685
11.English Language and Literature, Duke University21.96.862%4.04.613.0354.022%725705
12.English Language and Literature, Northwestern University21.76.750%3.43.45.8251.730%715695
13.English Language and Literature, Carnegie Mellon University20.97.2*65%*3.33.03.8162.839%720660
14.English Language and Literature, University of California-Irvine20.77.088%3.64.07.8243.852%620580
15.English Language and Literature, University of Chicago19.18.281%4.24.411.0345.740%715725
16.English Language and Literature, Rice University19.07.765%3.03.04.8212.725%725710
17.English Language and Literature, Emory University17.55.961%3.23.38.2263.539%700680
18.English Language and Literature, University of California-Santa Barbara16.67.285%3.43.35.0332.553%600580
19.English Language and Literature, University of Miami14.56.763%2.62.65.6170.946%640620
20.English Language and Literature, University of California-San Diego13.85.954%3.33.211.4222.039%655605
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
21.English Language and Literature, Washington University in St Louis13.47.354%3.23.06.4224.419%730710
22.English Language and Literature, Brandeis University12.76.769%3.13.16.2126.340%675675
23.English Language and Literature, University of California-Los Angeles10.17.173%4.04.117.4662.123%665630
24.English Language and Literature, University of Virginia-Main Campus10.07.974%4.34.615.2712.938%670655
25.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Binghamton9.85.759%3.02.711.6311.643%650615
26.English Language and Literature, Tufts University8.68.754%3.02.65.8163.028%705700
27.English Language and Literature, University of California-Santa Cruz8.57.243%3.03.16.4140.369%585580
28.English Language and Literature, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor8.46.269%2.8*2.7*9.632*2.8*57%680640
29.English Language and Literature, Northeastern University7.96.758%2.8*2.7*2.032*2.8*47%625605
30.English Language and Literature, University of Rochester7.88.167%3.03.16.0184.746%670650
31.English Language and Literature, George Washington University7.46.960%2.12.44.2231.938%640640
32.English Language and Literature, Boston College6.88.744%*2.92.72.4340.831%680655
33.English Language and Literature, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus6.69.174%3.33.49.8322.049%625610
33.English Language and Literature, Western Michigan University6.66.675%2.8*2.7*4.632*2.8*85%609*594*
35.English Language and Literature, University of Oregon6.25.784%3.02.79.2372.491%560555
36.English Language and Literature, Saint Louis University-Main Campus6.17.358%2.62.65.0151.576%610600
37.English Language and Literature, University of Denver5.74.970%2.31.78.4211.382%585580
38.English Language and Literature, Howard University5.57.275%2.31.62.2122.347%565560
39.English Language and Literature, Wayne State University5.46.263%2.52.45.4391.063%609*594*
40.English Language and Literature, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities5.17.572%3.73.212.8382.770%630600
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
40.English Language and Literature, University of Southern California5.19.067%3.43.47.8236.227%690665
42.English Language and Literature, University of South Dakota4.95.766%*2.8*2.7*1.232*2.8*86%530525
43.English Language and Literature, University of California-Davis4.86.765%2.83.08.4253.255%615565
44.English Language and Literature, University of Nevada-Las Vegas4.66.075%2.8*2.7*2.632*2.8*81%515500
45.English Language and Literature, Teachers College at Columbia University4.37.2*65%*2.8*2.7*3.832*2.8*61%*609*594*
45.English Language and Literature, University of Central Florida4.37.2*63%*2.8*2.7*0.632*2.8*62%575565
47.English Language and Literature, Marquette University4.16.253%2.8*2.7*3.032*2.8*70%600595
48.English Language and Literature, The University of Tennessee3.87.269%2.82.75.6352.144%555555
49.English Language and Literature, Miami University-Oxford3.77.056%2.82.56.4340.969%625605
50.English Language and Literature, University of Florida3.66.245%3.33.210.4303.557%640620
51.English Language and Literature, Auburn University Main Campus3.56.980%2.12.13.0320.982%570550
51.English Language and Literature, Boston University3.58.341%3.33.24.0382.055%655645
51.English Language and Literature, University of Missouri-Columbia3.57.280%2.82.88.8342.583%595600
54.English Language and Literature, University of California-Berkeley3.18.072%4.54.828.0623.525%685645
55.English Language and Literature, Columbia University in the City of New York3.08.172%3.94.524.4486.013%725715
56.English Language and Literature, University of Louisville2.95.965%*2.8*2.7*5.032*2.8*81%550555
57.English Language and Literature, University of California-Riverside2.85.761%3.13.39.0313.474%565510
57.English Language and Literature, Washington State University2.85.965%2.52.24.2262.374%560545
59.English Language and Literature, University of Hawaii at Manoa2.37.2*65%*2.8*2.7*1.832*2.8*65%570535
60.English Language and Literature, University of Arizona2.27.568%3.02.85.0322.088%565560
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
61.English Language and Literature, Texas Christian University1.95.043%2.32.14.8142.867%590575
62.English Language and Literature, Iowa State University1.87.2*65%*2.8*2.7*4.032*2.8*90%620595
63.English Language and Literature, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus1.76.254%2.22.35.4261.086%609*594*
64.English Language and Literature, University of Utah1.57.269%2.8*2.7*6.232*2.8*86%609*594*
65.English Language and Literature, University of Southern Mississippi1.46.161%2.32.27.2241.537%520525
66.English Language and Literature, University of Memphis1.17.2*63%*2.8*2.7*0.632*2.8*71%538530
67.English Language and Literature, University of Kentucky0.98.067%3.03.06.4292.579%575565
68.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Albany0.66.763%2.8*2.7*7.632*2.8*56%575555
69.English Language and Literature, University of North Dakota0.54.965%*2.01.21.8232.169%545520
70.English Language and Literature, University of South Carolina-Columbia0.36.168%3.02.913.0432.367%580570
71.English Language and Literature, Case Western Reserve University0.26.745%2.32.13.4144.168%690650
72.English Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee0.07.570%3.23.311.4472.089%609*594*
73.English Language and Literature, University of Washington-Seattle Campus-0.46.264%3.53.514.2573.267%610590
74.English Language and Literature, Stony Brook University-0.67.274%3.03.010.4325.151%610570
75.English Language and Literature, Middle Tennessee State University-0.94.675%1.00.63.6220.571%555545
75.English Language and Literature, University of Arkansas Main Campus-0.96.764%1.91.52.4191.287%580575
75.English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa-0.98.253%2.52.03.8132.275%630620
78.English Language and Literature, Georgia State University-1.27.875%2.8*2.7*8.032*2.8*56%550540
79.English Language and Literature, Baylor University-1.46.765%1.31.23.8131.066%605595
79.English Language and Literature, University of Delaware-1.47.347%2.8*2.7*5.832*2.8*47%610595
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
81.English Language and Literature, Idaho State University-1.98.3100%0.80.72.2230.561%*609*594*
82.English Language and Literature, Illinois State University-2.26.777%1.81.75.4361.677%609*594*
83.English Language and Literature, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus-2.46.540%*2.42.62.8400.672%570560
84.English Language and Literature, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus-2.76.064%2.41.84.4291.390%515515
85.English Language and Literature, Tulane University of Louisiana-3.08.752%2.32.34.6233.545%680670
85.English Language and Literature, University of Georgia-3.08.584%2.92.918.2322.562%615610
87.English Language and Literature, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus-3.16.969%2.82.410.6282.191%560550
87.English Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison-3.17.962%3.73.518.0462.871%650615
89.English Language and Literature, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus-3.46.758%3.23.116.4442.358%610580
90.English Language and Literature, Texas Tech University-3.75.964%2.11.78.2301.571%575555
91.English Language and Literature, Lehigh University-4.17.345%2.31.66.6163.441%680640
92.English Language and Literature, New Mexico State University-Main Campus-4.37.2*65%*2.8*2.7*4.032*2.8*81%500500
92.English Language and Literature, University of Nevada-Reno-4.36.960%2.8*2.7*5.632*2.8*86%535525
92.English Language and Literature, University of North Carolina at Greensboro-4.35.768%2.21.98.2282.078%520520
95.English Language and Literature, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-4.58.569%3.73.913.6514.661%615580
95.English Language and Literature, University of Dallas-4.510.775%2.8*2.7*2.832*2.8*81%595640
95.English Language and Literature, University of Illinois at Chicago-4.58.773%2.62.811.0292.858%605570
98.English Language and Literature, Duquesne University-5.78.767%2.8*2.7*5.432*2.8*80%565560
98.English Language and Literature, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-5.76.754%2.21.76.2171.977%565545
100.English Language and Literature, West Virginia University-5.97.986%1.61.63.0301.089%545525
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
101.English Language and Literature, New York University-6.27.746%3.63.827.2313.537%665665
102.English Language and Literature, Temple University-7.08.355%2.82.86.0421.763%550540
103.English Language and Literature, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign-7.18.165%3.43.415.6722.068%675615
104.English Language and Literature, The University of Alabama-7.36.950%2.62.46.4382.374%565565
105.English Language and Literature, University of Nebraska at Lincoln-7.56.767%2.82.514.4551.775%605595
106.English Language and Literature, Ohio State University-Main Campus-8.36.553%3.33.310.4653.173%580560
107.English Language and Literature, University of Maryland-College Park-8.68.261%3.33.215.0731.949%650625
107.English Language and Literature, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill-8.68.768%3.53.418.2554.536%650640
109.English Language and Literature, University of Toledo-8.88.255%1.31.72.6221.461%*609*594*
110.English Language and Literature, Loyola University Chicago-9.48.948%2.52.14.4281.674%585590
111.English Language and Literature, The University of Texas at Arlington-9.77.2*66%*2.31.83.0184.879%545515
112.English Language and Literature, Northern Illinois University-9.98.782%2.11.95.6401.670%538520
113.English Language and Literature, Ohio University-Main Campus-10.06.563%2.11.714.2151.589%545545
114.English Language and Literature, Kent State University-Kent Campus-10.27.779%2.32.18.6302.594%515515
114.English Language and Literature, University of Connecticut-10.29.364%2.92.37.0334.251%600585
116.English Language and Literature, Texas A & M University-10.58.757%2.8*2.7*12.032*2.8*70%615585
117.English Language and Literature, University of Kansas Main Campus-11.07.744%3.02.712.2412.569%609*594*
118.English Language and Literature, Michigan State University-11.16.961%2.72.813.8462.976%585555
119.English Language and Literature, University of Mississippi Main Campus-11.38.771%2.02.06.4252.081%540535
120.English Language and Literature, University of Iowa-11.47.745%3.13.111.2443.084%600585
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.English Language and Literature, Florida State University-11.87.762%2.32.212.2332.762%585575
122.English Language and Literature, Ball State University-12.18.775%1.91.58.2210.980%520520
123.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Buffalo-12.46.447%3.53.421.0405.056%595565
124.English Language and Literature, University of Louisiana at Lafayette-12.95.734%1.81.79.6281.976%609*594*
125.English Language and Literature, CUNY Graduate School and University Center-13.28.170%3.63.822.0416.861%*609*594*
126.English Language and Literature, University of Massachusetts-Amherst-13.89.069%3.13.213.0572.880%575565
127.English Language and Literature, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College-13.96.743%3.02.816.2472.478%600575
128.English Language and Literature, Indiana University-Bloomington-14.08.068%3.63.815.6713.885%560550
129.English Language and Literature, The University of Texas at Austin-14.87.758%3.43.525.0761.451%630605
130.English Language and Literature, University of New Mexico-Main Campus-15.48.253%2.8*2.7*13.232*2.8*74%535540
131.English Language and Literature, Syracuse University-15.68.70%2.32.52.6270.665%620595
132.English Language and Literature, University of Rhode Island-16.47.758%2.51.84.8206.079%550535
133.English Language and Literature, University of Houston-16.95.735%2.52.212.4352.781%550520
134.English Language and Literature, Drew University-17.48.170%0.80.83.6123.877%595605
134.English Language and Literature, University of Colorado at Boulder-17.411.032%3.03.03.6352.188%600580
136.English Language and Literature, St. John's University-New York-17.88.063%0.91.12.2113.262%530515
137.English Language and Literature, University of North Texas-17.96.929%2.12.15.6431.869%555545
138.English Language and Literature, Southern Illinois University Carbondale-18.86.250%2.11.614.4133.877%520520
139.English Language and Literature, Texas Woman's University-19.07.2*65%*0.80.83.8112.564%480485
140.English Language and Literature, Fordham University-19.18.757%1.81.64.2176.450%590600
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
141.English Language and Literature, Purdue University-Main Campus-20.27.168%3.12.827.0493.285%590555
142.English Language and Literature, Catholic University of America-23.49.755%1.51.13.6103.982%565580
143.English Language and Literature, University of South Florida-24.19.673%1.31.413.8243.428%565555
144.English Language and Literature, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus-24.35.050%1.61.15.61510.251%565555
145.English Language and Literature, Claremont Graduate University-37.07.848%2.42.35.8317.761%*609*594*
146.English Language and Literature, Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus-44.65.562%1.20.939.4165.355%515525

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 = -4. 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 = 4. 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 = 5. 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 = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Doctorates Granted per Year (Deg / Yr)
The average number of doctorates granted by the program per year between 2001 and 2005. Your weight = -5. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = -4. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -5. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (UG Acc)
The percentage of applicants the institution accepts into its undergraduate programs. Your weight = -2. 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 = 2. 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 = 2. 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.