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.

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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
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.English Language and Literature, University of California-Berkeley53.38.072%4.54.828.0623.525%685645
2.English Language and Literature, Stanford University45.27.080%4.34.614.2412.412%735720
3.English Language and Literature, Cornell University44.15.976%4.44.510.4481.727%710675
4.English Language and Literature, University of Virginia-Main Campus43.87.974%4.34.615.2712.938%670655
5.English Language and Literature, University of California-Los Angeles43.47.173%4.04.117.4662.123%665630
6.English Language and Literature, Yale University43.16.763%4.44.89.0501.810%740740
7.English Language and Literature, Columbia University in the City of New York42.78.172%3.94.524.4486.013%725715
8.English Language and Literature, University of Pennsylvania40.07.275%4.24.510.8492.521%725705
9.English Language and Literature, Harvard University37.66.776%4.14.88.4343.99%745745
10.English Language and Literature, The University of Texas at Austin35.77.758%3.43.525.0761.451%630605
11.English Language and Literature, Duke University32.66.862%4.04.613.0354.022%725705
12.English Language and Literature, University of Chicago28.48.281%4.24.411.0345.740%715725
13.English Language and Literature, Brown University26.67.779%3.84.08.2302.615%725710
13.English Language and Literature, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign26.68.165%3.43.415.6722.068%675615
15.English Language and Literature, Princeton University24.97.264%3.94.18.4222.411%745735
15.English Language and Literature, Vanderbilt University24.94.986%3.13.33.8290.435%695675
17.English Language and Literature, University of Maryland-College Park24.68.261%3.33.215.0731.949%650625
18.English Language and Literature, New York University24.37.746%3.63.827.2313.537%665665
19.English Language and Literature, University of Washington-Seattle Campus24.06.264%3.53.514.2573.267%610590
20.English Language and Literature, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill23.08.768%3.53.418.2554.536%650640
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
21.English Language and Literature, Indiana University-Bloomington21.88.068%3.63.815.6713.885%560550
22.English Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison20.37.962%3.73.518.0462.871%650615
23.English Language and Literature, Purdue University-Main Campus20.27.168%3.12.827.0493.285%590555
24.English Language and Literature, CUNY Graduate School and University Center19.68.170%3.63.822.0416.861%*609*594*
25.English Language and Literature, University of Notre Dame19.46.786%2.92.85.8381.432%700685
26.English Language and Literature, Johns Hopkins University18.17.283%4.04.34.8114.535%705680
27.English Language and Literature, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway17.48.569%3.73.913.6514.661%615580
28.English Language and Literature, University of California-Irvine16.17.088%3.64.07.8243.852%620580
29.English Language and Literature, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus15.66.758%3.23.116.4442.358%610580
29.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Buffalo15.66.447%3.53.421.0405.056%595565
31.English Language and Literature, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities15.37.572%3.73.212.8382.770%630600
32.English Language and Literature, Ohio State University-Main Campus14.56.553%3.33.310.4653.173%580560
33.English Language and Literature, Emory University14.35.961%3.23.38.2263.539%700680
34.English Language and Literature, University of Nebraska at Lincoln13.96.767%2.82.514.4551.775%605595
35.English Language and Literature, University of South Carolina-Columbia13.16.168%3.02.913.0432.367%580570
36.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Binghamton12.35.759%3.02.711.6311.643%650615
37.English Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee12.27.570%3.23.311.4472.089%609*594*
38.English Language and Literature, University of Georgia12.18.584%2.92.918.2322.562%615610
39.English Language and Literature, Northwestern University11.46.750%3.43.45.8251.730%715695
40.English Language and Literature, University of California-San Diego11.25.954%3.33.211.4222.039%655605
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
41.English Language and Literature, University of California-Santa Barbara10.87.285%3.43.35.0332.553%600580
42.English Language and Literature, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor10.06.269%2.8*2.7*9.632*2.8*57%680640
43.English Language and Literature, University of Oregon9.55.784%3.02.79.2372.491%560555
44.English Language and Literature, University of Massachusetts-Amherst8.09.069%3.13.213.0572.880%575565
45.English Language and Literature, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus7.39.174%3.33.49.8322.049%625610
46.English Language and Literature, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College6.76.743%3.02.816.2472.478%600575
47.English Language and Literature, University of Florida6.36.245%3.33.210.4303.557%640620
48.English Language and Literature, Washington University in St Louis6.27.354%3.23.06.4224.419%730710
49.English Language and Literature, Rice University6.17.765%3.03.04.8212.725%725710
50.English Language and Literature, Michigan State University5.76.961%2.72.813.8462.976%585555
50.English Language and Literature, Stony Brook University5.77.274%3.03.010.4325.151%610570
52.English Language and Literature, University of Missouri-Columbia4.57.280%2.82.88.8342.583%595600
53.English Language and Literature, University of California-Riverside3.75.761%3.13.39.0313.474%565510
54.English Language and Literature, Carnegie Mellon University3.67.2*65%*3.33.03.8162.839%720660
55.English Language and Literature, University of Southern California3.49.067%3.43.47.8236.227%690665
56.English Language and Literature, Brandeis University2.16.769%3.13.16.2126.340%675675
57.English Language and Literature, Wayne State University1.66.263%2.52.45.4391.063%609*594*
58.English Language and Literature, University of California-Davis0.96.765%2.83.08.4253.255%615565
59.English Language and Literature, University of Iowa0.27.745%3.13.111.2443.084%600585
60.English Language and Literature, Western Michigan University0.16.675%2.8*2.7*4.632*2.8*85%609*594*
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
61.English Language and Literature, The University of Tennessee-0.37.269%2.82.75.6352.144%555555
61.English Language and Literature, University of Kansas Main Campus-0.37.744%3.02.712.2412.569%609*594*
63.English Language and Literature, Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus-0.55.562%1.20.939.4165.355%515525
64.English Language and Literature, SUNY at Albany-1.06.763%2.8*2.7*7.632*2.8*56%575555
65.English Language and Literature, Miami University-Oxford-1.57.056%2.82.56.4340.969%625605
66.English Language and Literature, Boston University-1.68.341%3.33.24.0382.055%655645
67.English Language and Literature, University of Rochester-2.08.167%3.03.16.0184.746%670650
68.English Language and Literature, University of Miami-2.16.763%2.62.65.6170.946%640620
69.English Language and Literature, Georgia State University-2.27.875%2.8*2.7*8.032*2.8*56%550540
70.English Language and Literature, University of Illinois at Chicago-2.48.773%2.62.811.0292.858%605570
70.English Language and Literature, University of Utah-2.47.269%2.8*2.7*6.232*2.8*86%609*594*
72.English Language and Literature, Northeastern University-2.86.758%2.8*2.7*2.032*2.8*47%625605
73.English Language and Literature, University of Louisville-2.95.965%*2.8*2.7*5.032*2.8*81%550555
74.English Language and Literature, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus-3.36.969%2.82.410.6282.191%560550
75.English Language and Literature, University of Denver-3.44.970%2.31.78.4211.382%585580
76.English Language and Literature, Teachers College at Columbia University-3.57.2*65%*2.8*2.7*3.832*2.8*61%*609*594*
77.English Language and Literature, University of Arizona-4.87.568%3.02.85.0322.088%565560
78.English Language and Literature, University of Kentucky-4.98.067%3.03.06.4292.579%575565
79.English Language and Literature, Marquette University-5.06.253%2.8*2.7*3.032*2.8*70%600595
79.English Language and Literature, Texas A & M University-5.08.757%2.8*2.7*12.032*2.8*70%615585
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
81.English Language and Literature, Boston College-5.18.744%*2.92.72.4340.831%680655
81.English Language and Literature, Tufts University-5.18.754%3.02.65.8163.028%705700
81.English Language and Literature, University of Nevada-Las Vegas-5.16.075%2.8*2.7*2.632*2.8*81%515500
84.English Language and Literature, Florida State University-5.57.762%2.32.212.2332.762%585575
85.English Language and Literature, Iowa State University-5.77.2*65%*2.8*2.7*4.032*2.8*90%620595
86.English Language and Literature, University of Delaware-5.97.347%2.8*2.7*5.832*2.8*47%610595
87.English Language and Literature, George Washington University-6.56.960%2.12.44.2231.938%640640
88.English Language and Literature, Illinois State University-6.86.777%1.81.75.4361.677%609*594*
89.English Language and Literature, Temple University-6.98.355%2.82.86.0421.763%550540
90.English Language and Literature, University of South Dakota-7.15.766%*2.8*2.7*1.232*2.8*86%530525
91.English Language and Literature, Texas Tech University-7.55.964%2.11.78.2301.571%575555
91.English Language and Literature, University of Southern Mississippi-7.56.161%2.32.27.2241.537%520525
93.English Language and Literature, University of New Mexico-Main Campus-7.98.253%2.8*2.7*13.232*2.8*74%535540
94.English Language and Literature, The University of Alabama-8.16.950%2.62.46.4382.374%565565
95.English Language and Literature, Auburn University Main Campus-8.46.980%2.12.13.0320.982%570550
96.English Language and Literature, University of North Carolina at Greensboro-8.55.768%2.21.98.2282.078%520520
97.English Language and Literature, Washington State University-8.65.965%2.52.24.2262.374%560545
98.English Language and Literature, University of Central Florida-8.77.2*63%*2.8*2.7*0.632*2.8*62%575565
98.English Language and Literature, University of Hawaii at Manoa-8.77.2*65%*2.8*2.7*1.832*2.8*65%570535
100.English Language and Literature, University of Houston-9.15.735%2.52.212.4352.781%550520
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
101.English Language and Literature, University of Nevada-Reno-9.26.960%2.8*2.7*5.632*2.8*86%535525
102.English Language and Literature, University of California-Santa Cruz-9.47.243%3.03.16.4140.369%585580
103.English Language and Literature, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus-9.76.254%2.22.35.4261.086%609*594*
104.English Language and Literature, University of Connecticut-10.29.364%2.92.37.0334.251%600585
105.English Language and Literature, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus-10.36.540%*2.42.62.8400.672%570560
106.English Language and Literature, Duquesne University-10.98.767%2.8*2.7*5.432*2.8*80%565560
107.English Language and Literature, Kent State University-Kent Campus-11.87.779%2.32.18.6302.594%515515
107.English Language and Literature, New Mexico State University-Main Campus-11.87.2*65%*2.8*2.7*4.032*2.8*81%500500
107.English Language and Literature, Northern Illinois University-11.88.782%2.11.95.6401.670%538520
107.English Language and Literature, Saint Louis University-Main Campus-11.87.358%2.62.65.0151.576%610600
111.English Language and Literature, University of Memphis-11.97.2*63%*2.8*2.7*0.632*2.8*71%538530
112.English Language and Literature, Ohio University-Main Campus-12.96.563%2.11.714.2151.589%545545
113.English Language and Literature, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus-13.56.064%2.41.84.4291.390%515515
114.English Language and Literature, Tulane University of Louisiana-13.88.752%2.32.34.6233.545%680670
115.English Language and Literature, University of Dallas-13.910.775%2.8*2.7*2.832*2.8*81%595640
116.English Language and Literature, Texas Christian University-15.05.043%2.32.14.8142.867%590575
116.English Language and Literature, University of Louisiana at Lafayette-15.05.734%1.81.79.6281.976%609*594*
118.English Language and Literature, Lehigh University-15.97.345%2.31.66.6163.441%680640
119.English Language and Literature, University of North Dakota-16.94.965%*2.01.21.8232.169%545520
120.English Language and Literature, Case Western Reserve University-17.06.745%2.32.13.4144.168%690650
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.English Language and Literature, Howard University-17.47.275%2.31.62.2122.347%565560
122.English Language and Literature, University of North Texas-17.76.929%2.12.15.6431.869%555545
123.English Language and Literature, Middle Tennessee State University-18.34.675%1.00.63.6220.571%555545
124.English Language and Literature, West Virginia University-18.87.986%1.61.63.0301.089%545525
125.English Language and Literature, Southern Illinois University Carbondale-19.26.250%2.11.614.4133.877%520520
126.English Language and Literature, University of South Florida-19.59.673%1.31.413.8243.428%565555
127.English Language and Literature, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-19.96.754%2.21.76.2171.977%565545
128.English Language and Literature, University of Mississippi Main Campus-20.28.771%2.02.06.4252.081%540535
129.English Language and Literature, Loyola University Chicago-20.48.948%2.52.14.4281.674%585590
130.English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa-20.88.253%2.52.03.8132.275%630620
131.English Language and Literature, Idaho State University-21.08.3100%0.80.72.2230.561%*609*594*
131.English Language and Literature, University of Arkansas Main Campus-21.06.764%1.91.52.4191.287%580575
133.English Language and Literature, Ball State University-22.18.775%1.91.58.2210.980%520520
134.English Language and Literature, Baylor University-23.16.765%1.31.23.8131.066%605595
135.English Language and Literature, The University of Texas at Arlington-24.27.2*66%*2.31.83.0184.879%545515
136.English Language and Literature, University of Colorado at Boulder-24.811.032%3.03.03.6352.188%600580
137.English Language and Literature, University of Rhode Island-25.07.758%2.51.84.8206.079%550535
138.English Language and Literature, University of Toledo-26.68.255%1.31.72.6221.461%*609*594*
139.English Language and Literature, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus-28.45.050%1.61.15.61510.251%565555
140.English Language and Literature, Fordham University-29.98.757%1.81.64.2176.450%590600
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
141.English Language and Literature, Syracuse University-31.58.70%2.32.52.6270.665%620595
142.English Language and Literature, Drew University-35.98.170%0.80.83.6123.877%595605
143.English Language and Literature, Claremont Graduate University-36.97.848%2.42.35.8317.761%*609*594*
144.English Language and Literature, Texas Woman's University-39.77.2*65%*0.80.83.8112.564%480485
145.English Language and Literature, St. John's University-New York-40.08.063%0.91.12.2113.262%530515
146.English Language and Literature, Catholic University of America-43.09.755%1.51.13.6103.982%565580

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. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -2. 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.