Best Online Bachelor’s In English Degrees

Learn about the best online bachelor's in English degrees and open up new career opportunities in writing, editing, and teaching.

Updated on June 15, 2023

Write your way into a exciting career with one of the nation's best online bachelor's in English degrees.

Are you fascinated by the way stories can shape cultures, and vice versa? Do you want to learn how to hone your writing and communication skills to become part of that storytelling legacy? Are you as equally passionate about the written word as you are about cultural expression?

Then a degree in English is just for you!

Accredited Online College Programs

Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.

What kind of online bachelor's in English degree should you get?

Though each of these 25 programs will give you a comprehensive introduction to literature, as well as its histories and theories, no program is just like the other.

For example, some of these programs specialize in creative writing. Meaning, while you study the great works of literature from around the world and across time you will also develop your own creative projects. Other programs emphasize pedagogy, setting you up for a career in teaching upon graduation.

Here at College Choice we believe that fit equals success. So find the program that best reflects your passion and career goals. And regardless of which program you choose, know that all of these degrees can be completed fully online.

Distance education is flexible, affordable, and adaptable way to advance your education and career. For those reasons, be sure to check out College Choice's Most Affordable Online Colleges and Universities.

How much money do people make with an online Bachelor's in English degree?

A degree in English can lead to innumerable career options (more on that below). Which means that nailing down an average salary can be tricky.

For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors make nearly $62,000 a year on average. But say you don't see yourself writing the next great American novel. Instead, you're interested in writing compelling marketing content. Well, marketing managers make more than $129,000 annually.

The vocational opportunities are endless – as are the payoffs.

Which is to say, a degree in English provides an excellent return on investment.

What can you do with a bachelor's in English degree?

As we noted above, a BA in English can serve you across many industries and sectors. From healthcare to non-profits, everyone is looking for one who can tell compelling stories and communicate passionately and effectively.

And though a degree in English may seem like a throwback to the days of Elizabethan collars, English majors actually find themselves at the forefront of evolving trends and technologies. With one of these degrees in hand you can become a digital marketer, content creator, B2B writer, social media expert, journalist, and much more.

These programs below also prepare you for graduate school. So for those of you who want to earn an advanced degree in English, rhetoric, education, or creative writing, you will graduate fully prepared for the rigors of a master's program.

What are the requirements for an online bachelor's in English degree?

To earn a bachelor's in English, you will first need to complete two full years (approximately 60 credits) of general education classes, including those in the humanities, social science, and math.

Once those are out of the way you will dive into English foundations, such as British and American literature classes. And from there you will further specialize by exploring world literature, poetics, African American literature, the novel, and women writers.

You may even gain some hands-on experience at some of these schools. Internship and capstone projects are often required. We've been sure to note which.

What are the best online bachelor's in English degrees?

Though some of these English programs are housed within small liberal arts colleges and others through large research universities, they all share one thing in common: they offer the best online English BAs in the country.

To find the best we first found every program in the nation that offers the degree online. From there we brought in crucial determining factors such as academic reputation and student retention. Retention rate is a clear sign of student satisfaction. Finally, we considered affordability by looking at tuition and financial aid.

What we found after such exhaustive research are the 25 best online BA in English degrees in the U.S.

Our figures and information come from the university and colleges' websites, PayScale, and nationally recognized U.S. News & World Report and The National Center for Education Statistics.

Ranking

See our rankings methodology page.

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