Meg Van Brocklin

According to education-portal.com, the top five colleges for an English literature major are:

  • University of California–Berkley (Berkley, CA),
  • Stanford University (Stanford, CA),
  • Yale University (New Haven, CT),
  • Columbia University (New York, NY) and
  • Harvard University (Cambridge, MA).

Although almost every university has an English program integrated into their school system, what makes these colleges claim they’re the “best?”

A variety of things can make up a college’s strong English program, such as the professors, students involved, opportunities that may arise in the job world, and the success a school has had in the past, in terms of notable graduates. If you’re interested in English as a major, and want to dive into the world of literary oriented occupations, then these schools could be considered just right for you!

In most cases, English courses focus on literature, language and writing. English majors give you the chance to investigate an array of works of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction from contrasting cultures and historic times. These practices will allow you to explore the critical, emotional, creative and moral chambers of your mind. What does one do with an English major, you may ask?

There is a spectrum of jobs that may come in handy with an English degree, such as law, journalism, publishing, and teaching just to name a few. Berkley, the top-rated school for gaining an English degree, has an astounding 6-year Ph.D. program. This can be taken through Berkley’s English department, which offers classes in cultural and critical theory, American and British literature, and Anglophone literature.

Stanford’s graduate English program includes studies in Renaissance literature and post-colonial studies, along with a multitude of creative writing classes. The other three top colleges all have unique areas of study that will guarantee a lifetime of a deep, critical way of writing.