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Choosing to major in English opens doors to a wealth of opportunities—ranging from diverse career paths to a deep intellectual engagement with literature and language. As the landscape of higher education evolves, it’s essential to identify which programs in Virginia stand out for aspiring English majors.
At Zippia, we analyzed data from 188 higher education institutions across Virginia to pinpoint the programs that offer the best career prospects for English majors in today’s job market.
Here are the top colleges for English majors in Virginia for 2026:
- George Mason University
- University Of Virginia-Main Campus
- College Of William And Mary
- University Of Mary Washington
- University Of Richmond
- James Madison University
- Washington And Lee University
- Old Dominion University
- Regent University
- Virginia Military Institute
If you’re attending one of these schools, you’re likely well aware of their strengths. For those exploring options, let’s delve into why these institutions are recognized for their exceptional English programs in the Old Dominion.
How We Determined the Best English Schools in Virginia
At its core, English studies center around critical thinking and analytical skills. To accurately rank the best English schools, we employed a systematic approach that mirrors the analytical mindset of an English major—evaluating data on institutional performance and comparing various factors.
Our analysis utilized data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and College Scorecard from ED.gov to assess which English departments provide the most substantial career opportunities:
- Career Results
- Mean Earnings After 6 Years
- Mean Earnings After 10 Years
- Employment Ratio After 10 Years
- English Emphasis
- Percentage of Graduating Class That Are English Majors (Higher is better)
- School Performance
- Admissions Rate (More selective is better)
- Graduation Rate
- Average Cost of Attendance (Lower is better)
- Average Student Debt
A selective institution that emphasizes English and demonstrates strong earning potential is hard to overlook.
We ranked each of the 188 institutions in Virginia based on the criteria above, assigning a rank of 1 to the best performer in each category. We then calculated an “English Quality Index” by averaging these ranks, with George Mason University emerging as the top institution for English majors in Virginia.
1. George Mason University
Enrollment: 33,723
English Major Earning Rank: 5th
English Majors Working in Field Rank: 8th
Cost Rank: 8th
2. University Of Virginia-Main Campus
Enrollment: 21,238
English Major Graduation Rate: 1st
Admission Rate: 3rd
English Major Earnings Rank: 3rd
3. College Of William And Mary
Enrollment: 8,437
English Major Earnings Rank: 4th
English Major Graduation Rank: 3rd
Admission Rate: 5th
4. University Of Mary Washington
Enrollment: 5,203
% of English Majors on Campus: 2nd
Graduation Rate: 8th
Cost Rank: 6th
5. University Of Richmond
Enrollment: 4,181
English Major Graduation Rank: 4th
English Graduates Earnings Rank: 2nd
Admission Rate: 4th
6. James Madison University
Enrollment: 21,227
English Graduates Earning Rank: 6th
English Majors Graduation Rank: 6th
Cost Rank: 7th
7. Washington And Lee University
Enrollment: 2,264
English Major Graduation Rank: 2nd
English Graduates Earnings Rank: 1st
Admission Rate: 1st
8. Old Dominion University
Enrollment: 24,934
% of English Majors on Campus Rank: 7th
English Majors Earnings Rank: 11th
Cost Rank: 5th
9. Regent University
Enrollment: 2,161
% of English Majors Working in Field Rank: 7th
% of English Majors on Campus Rank: 3rd
English Majors Earnings Rank: 10th
10. Virginia Military Institute
Enrollment: 1,700
Admission Rate Rank: 7th
English Majors Graduation Rate Rank: 7th
English Majors Earnings Rank: 8th
In summary, selecting an English major program in Virginia can significantly impact your career trajectory. The institutions highlighted here not only provide robust academic environments but also prepare graduates for successful careers in an evolving job market. With a focus on strong earnings potential and comprehensive educational experiences, these colleges represent the best pathways for aspiring English professionals in 2026.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
