College is a time to delve into your passions or even discover new ones. Maybe you want to create killer campaigns for your favorite clothing brand, so you major in advertising to learn the ins and outs of consumer behavior. Or maybe you’re a STEM lover through and through, so a biology major is right up your alley. There are endless majors to choose from, but you want to choose a college that will help you explore that major to the fullest potential. For my literature folks out there, there’s a wide variety of colleges that can help you explore your love of books and writing through their top-notch English programs. Whether BookTok piqued your interest or you can’t turn away from dissecting historical prose, here are 10 of the best colleges for aspiring English majors.
- Columbia University
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According to Niche, Columbia University was rated number one as the 2023 best college for English in the U.S. Besides the school being located in a stunning location in New York City, the English major has plenty to offer. Their English program has a strong focus on learning about the history of literature through different methodologies and theoretical approaches. Courses in the major cover a variety of diverse topics, from translations of the Bible to exploring families’ stories through memoirs. Columbia University creates an environment for English majors to thrive in with its beautiful scenery, endless course listings, and opportunities to practice your craft through writing contests.
- Brown University
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The English major is one of the largest departments at Brown University. The university offers an array of courses that are sure to fulfill your literature needs, from poetry, drama, and fiction to film, creative nonfiction, and digital media. For my fellow writers, Brown offers a nonfiction writing track that can help you perfect your writing abilities for your future career. The English department at Brown carries students into common literary fields, such as journalism and public relations, but has also helped students continue their English education into law or medical school. I mean, there’s a reason Ms. Serena Vanderwoodsen wanted to go here in Gossip Girl.
- Stanford University
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Stanford University’s English major follows literature development from the Middle Ages to now. The core lessons of the program are focused on teaching you valuable skills that will advance your abilities as a reader, writer, and critic. In the major, you can study emphases that range from literature and philosophy to creative writing. The creative writing program specifically is world-renowned and led by faculty that have best-selling books and awards of their own. Alumni of the Stanford English major have gone on to work for Forbes, Instagram, Google, Pandora Media, and more.
- Yale University
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The English major at Yale University is over 100 years old, making it one of the most sought-after programs in the country for its expertise and history. Students who enroll in this major have the opportunity to learn about the historical and cultural impacts of literature, and at end of the program, they write an essay that summarizes their research and experience at Yale. There are over 50 courses to choose from depending on your goals as a reader. If you want to learn more about literary legends, take Yale’s classes on Virginia Woolf or Emily Dickinson. If you want to immerse yourself in dystopian fiction, there’s a class just for that. If you want to educate yourself on historical queer writing, there’s a class on that based on the time before the Stonewall Riots. From history and writers to media and journalism, Yale covers every end of the literature spectrum.
- University of Chicago
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The University of Chicago is ranked in the top 1% for English majors pursuing a bachelor’s degree and is number one in Illinois, according to College Factual. Though their English program is incredibly popular today, UChicago was famous in the 1950s for its Aristotelian Chicago School of criticism. Taking their scholarship from the ‘50s and combining it with other interdisciplinary studies, the UChicago English major has a diverse curriculum of coverage from different eras and subfields of literature. Whether you’re a short story lover or avid theatre fan, there is no shortage of classes to absorb literary knowledge during your time here.
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
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Recognized for its research and outstanding teaching, University of California, Los Angeles’ English major is one of the leading departments in the U.S. The program allows students to explore their love for literature through critical thinking, creative writing, and research. Each year, UCLA has an author in residence who is a distinguished writer that is a source for students to learn from working authors in the current society. This year’s author is Elaine Kahn, whose writing has appeared in well-known publications like The Los Angeles Times and Harper’s Bazaar. (She’s even published books of her own!)
- Duke University
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Also in the top 1% for English departments, Duke was ranked number three in College Factual’s English Literature standings and is the top university in North Carolina for English majors. Duke’s English program aims to introduce students to the exemplary voices of classic literature and encourage them to analyze works closely. On top of their stellar academics and professors in the major, awards and contests are offered. These include writing contests in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry.
- University of Pennsylvania
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The University of Pennsylvania’s English major is commended for its award-winning faculty, who have been decorated with recognitions for their teaching methods, mentorship, and research. The core curriculum explores English around the world to understand the critical and expressive aspects of literature. Students in the major have the opportunity to choose a concentration that piques their interest, such as Cinema and Media Studies or Gender and Sexuality. (Oh, and Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp goes there!)
- Northwestern University
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Also recognized for its faculty, Northwestern University hosts an English major with professors that have been rewarded by the university itself, Weinberg College, and the Associated Student Government. Northwestern’s English program takes a broader view of literature and analyzes the multiple mediums of it, including media productions. It ensures students are learning how to use language as a means of communication. Graduates of this major have gone on to work for Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, and Google.
- New York University (NYU)
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New York University’s English major is in the top 10% in the nation and ranked number five in New York. This program prides itself on its flexibility and diverse course options. English majors have three paths they can take for their studies: creative writing concentration, dramatic literature, and literary studies. NYU also allows its students to explore professional variations of the English major. Students can do a pre-law or pre-health English major where they can prep for those careers while also perfecting their writing craft.
