100 Best colleges for Literature in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Literature. A graph of 16.5M citations received by 717K academic papers made by 994 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Literature

#1 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

2. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Literature

#3 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

3. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Literature

#4 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

4. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Literature

#5 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Literature

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

6. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Literature

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

7. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Literature

#8 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

8. University of Texas at Austin

For Literature

#9 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

9. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Literature

#10 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

10. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Literature

#11 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

11. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Literature

#12 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

12. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Literature

#13 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

13. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Literature

#14 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

14. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Literature

#15 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

15. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Literature

#16 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

16. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Literature

#17 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

17. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Literature

#19 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

18. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Literature

#20 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

19. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Literature

#21 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

20. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Literature

#23 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

21. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Literature

#24 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

22. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Literature

#25 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

23. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Literature

#26 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

24. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Literature

#28 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

25. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Literature

#29 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

26. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Literature

#30 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

27. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Literature

#31 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

28. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Literature

#32 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

29. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Literature

#33 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

30. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Literature

#34 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

31. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Literature

#35 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

32. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Literature

#36 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

33. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Literature

#37 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

34. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Literature

#38 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

35. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Literature

#39 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

36. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Literature

#40 in North America

#65 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

37. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Literature

#41 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

38. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Literature

#42 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

39. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Literature

#43 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

40. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Literature

#44 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

41. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Literature

#45 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

42. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Literature

#47 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

43. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Literature

#48 in North America

#87 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

44. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Literature

#50 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

45. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Literature

#51 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

46. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Literature

#52 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

47. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Literature

#54 in North America

#99 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

48. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Literature

#55 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

49. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Literature

#56 in North America

#103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

50. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Literature

#57 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

51. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Literature

#58 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,083

52. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Literature

#59 in North America

#109 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

53. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Literature

#63 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

54. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Literature

#65 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

55. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Literature

#66 in North America

#127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

56. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Literature

#67 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

57. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Literature

#68 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

58. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Literature

#69 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

59. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Literature

#70 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

60. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Literature

#71 in North America

#135 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

61. Boston College

Massachusetts | Boston

For Literature

#72 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,519

62. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Literature

#73 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

63. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Literature

#74 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

64. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Literature

#76 in North America

#144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

65. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Literature

#77 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

66. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Literature

#78 in North America

#150 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

67. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Literature

#79 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

68. Brigham Young University - Provo

For Literature

#80 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $16,694

69. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Literature

#82 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

70. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Literature

#83 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

71. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Literature

#84 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

72. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Literature

#85 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

73. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Literature

#86 in North America

#180 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

74. University of Oregon

Oregon | Eugene

For Literature

#87 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 90%

75. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Literature

#88 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

76. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Literature

#89 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

77. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Literature

#90 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

78. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Literature

#91 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

79. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Literature

#93 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

80. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Literature

#95 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

81. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Literature

#96 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1060
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

82. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Literature

#97 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

83. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Literature

#98 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

84. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Literature

#99 in North America

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

85. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Literature

#100 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

86. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Literature

#101 in North America

#232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,367

87. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Literature

#102 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

88. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Literature

#104 in North America

#242 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

89. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Literature

#105 in North America

#244 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

90. University of Alabama

Alabama | Tuscaloosa

For Literature

#106 in North America

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 88%

91. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For Literature

#107 in North America

#251 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 99%

92. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Literature

#109 in North America

#256 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

93. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Literature

#110 in North America

#258 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

94. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Literature

#111 in North America

#262 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

95. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Literature

#113 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

96. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Literature

#115 in North America

#278 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Enrollment: 9,536
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1961

97. Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon | Portland

For Literature

#116 in North America

#282 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,942
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1887

98. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Literature

#117 in North America

#291 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

99. California University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | California

For Literature

#118 in North America

#294 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $6,250
Enrollment: 6,885

100. Loyola University Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Literature

#119 in North America

#296 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $39,147

The best cities to study Literature in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Stanford, Berkeley, Ithaca, and Cambridge.