Best English Language and Literature, General Schools in California

California has 46 colleges offering English Language and Literature, General programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,736 recent graduates. Graduates earn $28,504 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $29,080.

School choice matters significantly: Santa Clara University graduates earn $47,260 while Whittier College graduates earn $15,552 — a $31,708 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

46
Schools in CA
$28,504
CA Avg. Earnings
$29,080
National Avg.
651
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: English Language and Literature, General in California

Public Schools (27)
$27,535
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (18)
$29,999
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,464 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

English Language and Literature, General Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
S

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $43,732
Graduates: 19
Acceptance: 43.8%
#2
S

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private

$45,696
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,746
Graduates: 18
Acceptance: 88.6%
#3
U

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$39,741
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,349
Graduates: 28
Acceptance: 50.8%
#4
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$35,060
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,386
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 29.8%
#5
L

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$35,060
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,842
Graduates: 57
Acceptance: 40.3%
#6
N

Northeastern University Oakland

Oakland, CA · Private

$34,704
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,443
Graduates: 24
Acceptance: 16.5%
#7
U

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$34,393
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,616
Graduates: 252
Acceptance: 11.7%
#8
S

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$33,382
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,355
Graduates: 62
Acceptance: 96.2%
#9
W

Westmont College

Santa Barbara, CA · Private

$32,925
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,823
Graduates: 24
Acceptance: 79.9%
#10
S

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$32,391
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,546
Graduates: 29
Acceptance: 80.2%
#11
C

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$31,839
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,711
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 97.5%
#12
B

Biola University

La Mirada, CA · Private

$31,670
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $18,018
Graduates: 34
Acceptance: 60.1%
#13
S

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,389
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 94.7%
#14
C

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$29,995
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,641
Graduates: 51
Acceptance: 95.7%
#15
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$29,956
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,239
Graduates: 156
Acceptance: 47.1%
#16
U

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,434
Graduates: 132
Acceptance: 27.8%
#17
C

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 55.6%
#18
U

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 80.9%
#19
S

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,209
Graduates: 94
Acceptance: 34.4%
#20
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$29,540
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,495
Graduates: 176
Acceptance: 41.6%
#21
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$29,503
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,063
Graduates: 250
Acceptance: 8.7%
#22
C

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$28,960
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,864
Graduates: 63
Acceptance: 91.9%
#23
C

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.2%
#24
C

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,064
Graduates: 137
Acceptance: 93.2%
#25
A

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$27,753
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,029
Graduates: 59
Acceptance: N/A
#26
C

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$27,669
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,354
Graduates: 23
Acceptance: 73.6%
#27
M

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$27,439
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 68.7%
#28
C

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$27,155
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,047
Graduates: 129
Acceptance: 93.6%
#29
N

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$27,048
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#30
C

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$26,353
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,716
Graduates: 44
Acceptance: 96.8%
#31
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$26,353
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,778
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: 24.5%
#32
U

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$26,353
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 48.5%
#33
C

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$25,774
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,697
Graduates: 102
Acceptance: 86.7%
#34
U

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

$24,962
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,386
Graduates: 107
Acceptance: 63.3%
#35
C

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public

$24,615
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,199
Graduates: 51
Acceptance: 93.1%
#36
U

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$23,649
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,227
Graduates: 28
Acceptance: 46.8%
#37
S

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private

$23,649
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $44,251
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: 3.9%
#38
U

University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public

$23,456
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,520
Graduates: 116
Acceptance: 25.6%
#39
C

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$22,420
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $18,701
Graduates: 33
Acceptance: 98.3%
#40
C

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

$21,781
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.9%
#41
C

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,075
Graduates: 60
Acceptance: 73.7%
#42
C

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public

$21,403
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,121
Graduates: 59
Acceptance: 98.8%
#43
A

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, CA · Private

$20,413
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,392
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 79.5%
#44
C

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$18,771
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,682
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 93.7%
#45
C

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$18,315
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,508
Graduates: 52
Acceptance: 96.4%
#46
W

Whittier College

Whittier, CA · Private

$15,552
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,750
Graduates: 28
Acceptance: 85.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for English Language and Literature, General in California?
Santa Clara University ranks #1 for English Language and Literature, General in California with median graduate earnings of $47,260 within two years of graduation. There are 46 schools offering English Language and Literature, General programs in the state.
How much do English Language and Literature, General graduates earn in California?
English Language and Literature, General graduates in California earn an average of $28,504 within two years of graduation. This is 2% below the national average of $29,080 for this major.
What is the hardest English Language and Literature, General school to get into in California?
Stanford University is the most selective English Language and Literature, General program in California with an acceptance rate of 3.9%. The average acceptance rate across English Language and Literature, General programs in the state is 65.8%.
Should I attend a public or private school for English Language and Literature, General in California?
In California, private English Language and Literature, General programs produce average earnings of $29,999 vs $27,535 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 27 public and 18 private options in the state.

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.