Best Colleges for English Majors

by Jessica Holloway

Searching for the best colleges for English majors?

English is a major that can lead to a career in many different fields. Beyond the obvious career of teaching English, students can go on to become writers, advertising managers, and journalists.

Since a career in English is often very competitive, the education you receive is extremely important. Listed below are a few of the best colleges for English majors.

Best Colleges for English Majors

The following three universities are the best colleges for English majors. You will notice right away that two of these universities are Ivy League schools, not a big surprise there. UC Berkeley also made it on the list, which is a nice alternative to the traditional Ivy League route.

Harvard University

best colleges for english majors

Harvard not only tops the ranking lists year after year, their English department is also heralded as on of the best in the nation. As an undergraduate, students can choose from a large variety of foundation classes. They can study American literature, creative writing, and poetry. There is also an honors programs that allow students to write a thesis for publication.

University of California

best colleges for english studies

The Berkeley campus is regarded as one of the most prominent English schools. There are many different interdisciplinary courses at the undergraduate level and graduate levels. They offer a broad array of programs, such as film, women’s studies, and medieval studies.

Yale University

best colleges for english majors

Yale’s program focuses heavily on interdisciplinary studies. English students will work closely with other departments, such as history and philosophy. As an undergraduate, students learn not only the basics of writing, but analysis and perspective as well. At the graduate level, students can pursue their own research and writing interests.

Online English Degrees

If you are unable to attend campus to earn your English degree, you may want to consider online studies.

Currently, there are two accredited universities offering a Bachelor’s degree in English online:  Grand Canyon University and Ashford University. You can compare each university below to see if either school is a good fit for you.

Grand Canyon University – Bachelor of Arts in English

best colleges for english degrees

Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited, the highest level of accreditation possible.

Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Arts in English Literature program is designed to provide its majors with a general knowledge of the history of English and American literature and specific knowledge of selected authors, periods, and genres.

You will acquire skills and practice in written and oral communication, critical thinking about literary and other texts, and grammar and linguistics relevant to primary and secondary teaching. You will also gain a critical appreciation for literature and recognize the broad value of literature and its potential to expand students’ perspectives and transform their visions of the world.

  • Bachelor of Arts in English Literature

Read more or get a program guide from Grand Canyon University.

Ashford University – Online Bachelor’s in English

bachelor of arts in english

Ashford University is regionally accredited, the highest level of accreditation possible.

With your Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Ashford University, you get a rigorous foundation of writing and critical thinking skills.

Read and appreciate great books. Analyze how language and literature shape culture and identity. Your online courses include theory, linguistics, and composition, in addition to surveys of literature.

English has become a common language around the globe. By deepening your understanding of this unique language, you strengthen your comprehension of our world and your ability to communicate. Ashford University does not currently accept student in Arkansas, Kentucky, Minnesota or Mississippi.

  • Bachelor of Arts in English

Read more or get a program guide from Ashford University.

Summary

While there is no surefire way to know the quality of a university’s English department, the above schools are steeped in tradition and academic excellence. They have a proven record of accomplishment of graduate success in the workplace.