English Language and Literature, General programs

CIP 2301 · English Language & Literature · ranked by median earnings four years after completion

603 institutions report graduate earnings for English Language and Literature, General programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $49,157 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46× and 75% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 89 of the 656 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.

National ranking

#	Institution	Earn 4yr	% > threshold	Median debt	Debt/earn	Earnings premium	2 of 3 yrs
1	Georgetown UniversityDC · Master's	$101,463 n=17	80% 1yr	$59,005	0.58×	Above +17%	Below 1/2
2	Stanford UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$82,036 n=21	–	–	–	Above +113%	–
3	Seattle UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$78,906 n=22	–	$19,500	0.25×	Above +85%	Clears 2/2
4	Georgetown UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$78,370 n=55	89% 5yr	$16,000	0.20×	Above +117%	Clears 2/2
5	University of ChicagoIL · Bachelor's	$78,169 n=37	71% 5yr	$17,166	0.22×	Above +107%	Clears 2/2
6	Wake Forest UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$77,847 n=27	89% 5yr	$19,500	0.25×	Above +127%	–
7	Wayne State UniversityMI · Master's	$76,201 n=16	–	–	–	Above +21%	–
8	Middlebury CollegeVT · Master's	$75,807 n=52	100% 1yr	$16,042	0.21×	Above +41%	–
9	Emory UniversityGA · Doctoral	$75,551 n=16	–	–	–	Above +20%	–
10	CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNY · Doctoral	$75,306 n=30	91% 5yr	$32,500	0.43×	Above +6%	Below 1/2
11	College of the Holy CrossMA · Bachelor's	$74,214 n=70	96% 5yr	$27,000	0.36×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
12	Howard UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$73,929 n=20	85% 5yr	$26,125	0.35×	Above +105%	Clears 2/2
13	Brown UniversityRI · Bachelor's	$73,497 n=33	70% 5yr	$12,974	0.18×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
14	Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusPA · Doctoral	$72,454 n=27	86% 5yr	$57,997	0.80×	Above +13%	Clears 2/2
15	College of Staten Island CUNYNY · Master's	$71,707 n=18	–	–	–	Above +1%	–
16	Lehigh UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$71,474 n=16	–	$19,707	0.28×	Above +90%	Clears 2/2
17	George Washington UniversityDC · Bachelor's	$70,766 n=27	88% 5yr	$23,250	0.33×	Above +96%	Clears 2/2
18	Boston CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$70,141 n=80	90% 5yr	$18,940	0.27×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
19	California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCA · Master's	$69,842 n=33	72% 5yr	$32,100	0.46×	Below -7%	Below 2/2
20	Salem State UniversityMA · Master's	$69,754 n=16	–	–	–	Below -8%	–
21	University of FloridaFL · Doctoral	$69,667 n=17	96% 5yr	$30,512	0.44×	Above +25%	Clears 2/2
22	Tufts UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$69,475 n=30	92% 5yr	$14,670	0.21×	Above +60%	–
23	CUNY York CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$69,380 n=17	82% 5yr	–	–	Above +82%	Clears 2/2
24	University of ScrantonPA · Bachelor's	$69,349 n=16	–	$26,000	0.38×	Above +84%	–
25	Williams CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$69,065 n=33	72% 5yr	$13,125	0.19×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
26	Elon UniversityNC · Bachelor's	$68,927 n=18	100% 5yr	$23,250	0.34×	Above +101%	Clears 2/2
27	Notre Dame of Maryland UniversityMD · Master's	$68,760 n=21	83% 1yr	–	–	Below -9%	–
28	University of San DiegoCA · Bachelor's	$68,752 n=31	79% 5yr	$24,000	0.35×	Above +79%	Clears 2/2
29	University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWI · Doctoral	$68,298 n=20	–	–	–	Above +11%	–
30	Trinity CollegeCT · Bachelor's	$68,063 n=31	–	$22,592	0.33×	Above +61%	–
31	Northeastern UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$67,877 n=21	83% 5yr	$21,250	0.31×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
32	Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Bachelor's	$67,877 n=21	83% 5yr	$21,250	0.31×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
33	University of California-RiversideCA · Doctoral	$67,356 n=16	–	–	–	Below -11%	–
34	Villanova UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$67,157 n=46	92% 5yr	$26,899	0.40×	Above +78%	Clears 2/2
35	George Mason UniversityVA · Master's	$67,126 n=29	96% 5yr	$36,561	0.55×	Below -6%	Below 1/2
36	Loyola Marymount UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$66,806 n=68	88% 5yr	$22,000	0.33×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
37	Emory UniversityGA · Bachelor's	$66,762 n=28	81% 5yr	$21,000	0.32×	Above +89%	Clears 2/2
38	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Doctoral	$66,586 n=23	95% 1yr	$57,587	0.86×	Above +14%	–
39	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Doctoral	$66,488 n=19	85% 5yr	$35,346	0.53×	Above +14%	Below 1/2
40	Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Doctoral	$66,460 n=27	85% 1yr	–	–	Above +6%	–
41	New York UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$66,306 n=78	81%	$21,519	0.33×	Above +74%	Clears 2/2
42	National UniversityCA · Master's	$66,189 n=57	88% 5yr	$32,416	0.49×	Below -12%	Below 2/2
43	The College of New JerseyNJ · Master's	$66,123 n=18	83% 1yr	–	–	Below -14%	–
44	Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$65,714 n=37	–	$24,188	0.37×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
45	Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Master's	$65,658 n=99	77% 1yr	$34,898	0.53×	Above +7%	–
46	Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Master's	$65,658 n=99	77% 1yr	$34,898	0.53×	Above +7%	–
47	Monmouth UniversityNJ · Master's	$65,238 n=17	100% 5yr	–	–	Below -15%	Below 2/2
48	Amherst CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$65,195 n=25	–	$6,500	0.10×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
49	Cornell UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$65,089 n=36	78% 5yr	$16,300	0.25×	Above +71%	Clears 2/2
50	University of Massachusetts-BostonMA · Master's	$64,893 n=23	100% 5yr	$32,245	0.50×	Below -14%	Below 2/2
51	Texas Christian UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$64,885 n=18	–	$23,846	0.37×	Above +81%	Clears 2/2
52	Binghamton UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$64,555 n=147	96%	$19,500	0.30×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
53	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$64,225 n=98	53%	$21,625	0.34×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
54	Boston CollegeMA · Master's	$64,159 n=27	92% 5yr	$40,346	0.63×	Below -15%	Below 2/2
55	Loyola University MarylandMD · Bachelor's	$63,919 n=26	96% 5yr	$27,000	0.42×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
56	Fordham UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$63,834 n=104	64%	$27,000	0.42×	Above +68%	Clears 2/2
57	Providence CollegeRI · Bachelor's	$63,736 n=22	85% 5yr	$22,750	0.36×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
58	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCA · Bachelor's	$63,413 n=51	87% 5yr	$23,500	0.37×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
59	California State University-FullertonCA · Master's	$63,212 n=16	73% 5yr	$22,672	0.36×	Below -16%	Below 2/2
60	California State University-Los AngelesCA · Master's	$62,904 n=16	–	$39,669	0.63×	Below -16%	–
61	The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyTX · Master's	$62,899 n=27	83% 5yr	$25,335	0.40×	Below -4%	Below 2/2
62	Bridgewater State UniversityMA · Master's	$62,844 n=18	–	–	–	Below -17%	–
63	Fairfield UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$62,527 n=44	89% 5yr	$27,000	0.43×	Above +48%	Clears 2/2
64	Yale UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$62,440 n=18	–	–	–	Above +48%	Clears 2/2
65	Spelman CollegeGA · Bachelor's	$62,425 n=35	85% 5yr	$25,314	0.41×	Above +77%	Clears 2/2
66	Brandeis UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$62,291 n=22	84% 5yr	$26,000	0.42×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
67	San Francisco State UniversityCA · Master's	$62,210 n=19	–	$40,605	0.65×	Below -17%	–
68	Northwestern UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$62,147 n=35	88% 5yr	$15,450	0.25×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
69	Bates CollegeME · Bachelor's	$62,082 n=21	–	$12,000	0.19×	Above +70%	Clears 2/2
70	Assumption UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$62,073 n=47	89% 5yr	$27,000	0.43×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
71	University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's	$61,989 n=40	82% 5yr	$19,500	0.32×	Above +64%	Clears 2/2
72	California State University-NorthridgeCA · Master's	$61,735 n=40	74% 5yr	$29,084	0.47×	Below -18%	Below 2/2
73	St Lawrence UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$61,335 n=35	79% 5yr	$26,000	0.42×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
74	Barnard CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$61,327 n=33	90% 5yr	$18,558	0.30×	Above +61%	Clears 2/2
75	Princeton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$61,323 n=16	–	–	–	Above +54%	–
76	Miami University-OxfordOH · Master's	$61,269 n=19	89% 1yr	–	–	Below -2%	–
77	University of Louisiana at LafayetteLA · Doctoral	$61,123 n=19	–	–	–	Above +6%	–
78	University of Notre DameIN · Bachelor's	$60,998 n=42	83% 5yr	$19,000	0.31×	Above +63%	Clears 2/2
79	Gettysburg CollegePA · Bachelor's	$60,876 n=45	92% 5yr	$26,242	0.43×	Above +62%	Clears 2/2
80	Colgate UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$60,702 n=19	82% 5yr	$15,875	0.26×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
81	Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$60,602 n=59	87% 5yr	$26,750	0.44×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
82	New Jersey City UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$60,574 n=55	80% 5yr	$23,401	0.39×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
83	Manhattan UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$60,508 n=17	–	$27,000	0.45×	Above +59%	–
84	Vassar CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$60,461 n=31	76% 5yr	$19,000	0.31×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
85	University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Master's	$60,452 n=21	89% 5yr	$37,750	0.62×	Above +3%	Below 1/2
86	University of Northern IowaIA · Master's	$60,443 n=18	–	–	–	Above +2%	–
87	Vanderbilt UniversityTN · Bachelor's	$60,439 n=36	88% 5yr	$15,050	0.25×	Above +73%	Clears 2/2
88	Florida State UniversityFL · Doctoral	$60,363 n=23	96% 5yr	$50,647	0.84×	Above +9%	Clears 2/2
89	Monmouth UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$60,220 n=72	85% 5yr	$26,000	0.43×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
90	University of California-BerkeleyCA · Bachelor's	$60,187 n=198	62%	$12,979	0.22×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
91	Stonehill CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$60,131 n=27	86% 5yr	$24,237	0.40×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
92	Davidson CollegeNC · UG cert	$60,000 n=26	–	$19,000	0.32×	Above +75%	Clears 2/2
93	CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$59,994 n=29	73% 5yr	$19,064	0.32×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
94	Wellesley CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$59,865 n=35	72% 5yr	$10,925	0.18×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
95	University of IowaIA · Doctoral	$59,774 n=16	–	–	–	Above +1%	Below 1/2
96	CUNY Medgar Evers CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$59,650 n=18	–	–	–	Above +57%	–
97	Sonoma State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$59,418 n=71	89% 5yr	$19,375	0.33×	Above +55%	Clears 2/2
98	Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$59,396 n=44	73%	$25,000	0.42×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
99	Wheaton College (Massachusetts)MA · Bachelor's	$59,381 n=23	90% 5yr	$26,434	0.45×	Above +37%	Below 1/2
100	University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$59,345 n=26	87% 5yr	$3,500	0.06×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
101	The University of Texas at TylerTX · Master's	$59,336 n=17	91% 1yr	$29,378	0.49×	Below -10%	–
102	University of California-Santa BarbaraCA · Bachelor's	$59,334 n=143	59%	$16,892	0.28×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
103	University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's	$59,288 n=117	90%	$19,500	0.33×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
104	Siena CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$59,280 n=35	87% 5yr	$27,000	0.46×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
105	St. John's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$59,267 n=45	62%	$27,000	0.46×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
106	National UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$59,192 n=19	86% 5yr	$23,342	0.39×	Above +54%	Below 1/2
107	Gonzaga UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$59,151 n=31	92% 5yr	$27,000	0.46×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
108	University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's	$59,012 n=179	55%	$13,500	0.23×	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
109	Texas State UniversityTX · Master's	$58,914 n=22	–	$27,554	0.47×	Below -10%	–
110	Lake Forest CollegeIL · Bachelor's	$58,901 n=32	73% 5yr	$25,707	0.44×	Above +56%	–
111	Georgia State UniversityGA · Doctoral	$58,877 n=25	87% 1yr	$78,016	1.32×	Below -7%	Below 2/2
112	University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOK · Bachelor's	$58,854 n=34	78% 5yr	$19,000	0.32×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
113	Salisbury UniversityMD · Master's	$58,759 n=17	–	–	–	Below -23%	–
114	University of California-MercedCA · Bachelor's	$58,623 n=23	–	$24,000	0.41×	Above +52%	–
115	Boston UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$58,564 n=40	79% 5yr	$25,750	0.44×	Above +35%	Clears 2/2
116	Westmont CollegeCA · Bachelor's	$58,459 n=29	–	$25,515	0.44×	Above +52%	–
117	Drew UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$58,452 n=23	–	$27,000	0.46×	Above +46%	–
118	Mount Saint Mary CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$58,434 n=23	–	$24,250	0.41×	Above +54%	Clears 2/2
119	The University of the SouthTN · Bachelor's	$58,164 n=28	65% 5yr	$21,175	0.36×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
120	Saint Michael's CollegeVT · Bachelor's	$58,137 n=24	70% 5yr	$27,000	0.46×	Above +48%	Below 1/2
121	Dartmouth CollegeNH · Bachelor's	$58,090 n=18	86% 5yr	$17,000	0.29×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
122	Chapman UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$58,055 n=26	–	$22,875	0.39×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
123	Wofford CollegeSC · Bachelor's	$58,036 n=39	92% 5yr	$25,408	0.44×	Above +69%	Clears 2/2
124	University of RichmondVA · Bachelor's	$58,014 n=20	–	$22,980	0.40×	Above +53%	Below 1/2
125	Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$57,895 n=127	57%	$22,500	0.39×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
126	University of DaytonOH · Bachelor's	$57,868 n=33	86% 5yr	$24,398	0.42×	Above +57%	Clears 2/2
127	University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's	$57,809 n=122	99%	$16,887	0.29×	Above +65%	Clears 2/2
128	Tulane University of LouisianaLA · Bachelor's	$57,752 n=44	82%	$20,000	0.35×	Above +66%	Clears 2/2
129	Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's	$57,651 n=25	96% 5yr	$23,250	0.40×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
130	Seton Hall UniversityNJ · Master's	$57,651 n=19	100% 5yr	–	–	Below -25%	Below 2/2
131	University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's	$57,649 n=62	100%	$15,000	0.26×	Above +35%	Clears 2/2
132	William & MaryVA · Bachelor's	$57,616 n=53	81% 5yr	$19,255	0.33×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
133	Dickinson CollegePA · Bachelor's	$57,603 n=34	88% 5yr	$19,000	0.33×	Above +53%	Clears 2/2
134	Saint Anselm CollegeNH · Bachelor's	$57,585 n=20	97% 5yr	$26,000	0.45×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
135	Drake UniversityIA · Bachelor's	$57,563 n=23	95% 5yr	$27,000	0.47×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
136	University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMD · Bachelor's	$57,547 n=50	82% 5yr	$17,750	0.31×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
137	James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$57,487 n=52	75% 5yr	$21,000	0.36×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
138	Ohio University-Main CampusOH · Master's	$57,400 n=32	83% 1yr	$20,500	0.36×	Below -9%	–
139	Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaPA · Master's	$57,227 n=26	90% 1yr	–	–	Below -11%	–
140	North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Master's	$57,070 n=29	74% 1yr	$35,629	0.62×	Below -3%	–
141	Mercy UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$57,069 n=22	81% 5yr	$25,500	0.45×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
142	University of Houston-Clear LakeTX · Bachelor's	$57,052 n=30	91% 5yr	$14,125	0.25×	Above +60%	Clears 2/2
143	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusNJ · Bachelor's	$56,969 n=27	71% 5yr	$25,500	0.45×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
144	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusNJ · Bachelor's	$56,969 n=27	71% 5yr	$25,500	0.45×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
145	The College of New JerseyNJ · Bachelor's	$56,905 n=56	86% 5yr	$23,188	0.41×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
146	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Bachelor's	$56,768 n=82	52%	$9,319	0.16×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
147	Georgian Court UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$56,715 n=54	84% 5yr	$21,250	0.38×	Above +42%	Clears 2/2
148	Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's	$56,703 n=177	51%	$18,930	0.33×	Above +59%	Clears 2/2
149	California Baptist UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$56,656 n=35	66% 5yr	$21,500	0.38×	Above +47%	Below 1/2
150	Nevada State UniversityNV · Bachelor's	$56,591 n=17	–	–	–	Above +50%	–
151	University of Missouri-Kansas CityMO · Bachelor's	$56,584 n=38	77% 5yr	$20,500	0.36×	Above +58%	Below 1/2
152	Ursinus CollegePA · Bachelor's	$56,454 n=20	–	$27,000	0.48×	Above +50%	–
153	Austin CollegeTX · Bachelor's	$56,362 n=16	76% 5yr	$25,709	0.46×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
154	San Francisco State UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$56,297 n=87	32%	$16,743	0.30×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
155	Loyola University ChicagoIL · Bachelor's	$56,289 n=51	90% 5yr	$25,000	0.44×	Above +49%	Clears 2/2
156	University of DelawareDE · Bachelor's	$56,243 n=107	41%	$25,500	0.45×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
157	Indiana University-BloomingtonIN · Bachelor's	$56,204 n=69	94%	$16,227	0.29×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
158	University of California-San DiegoCA · Bachelor's	$56,097 n=22	–	$13,555	0.24×	Above +46%	–
159	George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$56,071 n=83	74%	$18,750	0.33×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
160	Western Illinois UniversityIL · Master's	$55,987 n=17	–	–	–	Below -18%	–
161	Rollins CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$55,912 n=29	66% 5yr	$25,040	0.45×	Above +66%	Below 1/2
162	CUNY Hunter CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$55,759 n=193	78%	$13,533	0.24×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
163	University at AlbanyNY · Master's	$55,691 n=20	–	$17,151	0.31×	Below -22%	–
164	Whittier CollegeCA · Bachelor's	$55,536 n=22	61% 5yr	$24,125	0.43×	Above +44%	Below 1/2
165	The College of WoosterOH · Bachelor's	$55,456 n=28	57%	$26,717	0.48×	Above +51%	Below 1/2
166	Hobart William Smith CollegesNY · Bachelor's	$55,440 n=22	–	$27,000	0.49×	Above +46%	–
167	University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Bachelor's	$55,412 n=83	72%	$15,000	0.27×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
168	Sacred Heart UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$55,399 n=22	90% 5yr	$27,000	0.49×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
169	Christopher Newport UniversityVA · Bachelor's	$55,379 n=59	89% 5yr	$26,573	0.48×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
170	University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's	$55,376 n=149	67%	$21,824	0.39×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
171	University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's	$55,376 n=149	67%	$21,824	0.39×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
172	University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's	$55,376 n=149	67%	$21,824	0.39×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
173	University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's	$55,376 n=149	67%	$21,824	0.39×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
174	University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's	$55,376 n=149	67%	$21,824	0.39×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
175	Le Moyne CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$55,364 n=35	85% 5yr	$27,000	0.49×	Above +46%	Clears 2/2
176	University of California-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's	$55,346 n=295	58%	$13,534	0.24×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
177	Rutgers University-CamdenNJ · Bachelor's	$55,337 n=240	31%	$21,500	0.39×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
178	Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's	$55,337 n=240	31%	$21,500	0.39×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
179	Rutgers University-NewarkNJ · Bachelor's	$55,337 n=240	31%	$21,500	0.39×	Above +39%	Clears 2/2
180	Saginaw Valley State UniversityMI · Bachelor's	$55,302 n=18	–	$28,625	0.52×	Above +58%	–
181	Central Connecticut State UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$55,295 n=79	63%	$26,000	0.47×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
182	Stony Brook UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$55,210 n=66	65%	$18,000	0.33×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
183	California State University-Dominguez HillsCA · Bachelor's	$55,081 n=21	–	–	–	Above +43%	–
184	Hofstra UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$55,054 n=48	78% 5yr	$22,625	0.41×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
185	California State University-San MarcosCA · Bachelor's	$54,985 n=73	62%	$15,500	0.28×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
186	Kean UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$54,749 n=142	70%	$26,984	0.49×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
187	CUNY Lehman CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$54,674 n=102	72% 5yr	$10,500	0.19×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
188	St. John Fisher UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$54,602 n=20	–	$21,250	0.39×	Above +44%	–
189	Quinnipiac UniversityCT · Bachelor's	$54,574 n=27	–	$26,500	0.49×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
190	University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's	$54,570 n=93	85%	$19,500	0.36×	Above +45%	Clears 2/2
191	University of Rhode IslandRI · Bachelor's	$54,524 n=77	60%	$25,000	0.46×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
192	California State University-StanislausCA · Bachelor's	$54,501 n=50	85% 5yr	$13,000	0.24×	Above +42%	Clears 2/2
193	University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Bachelor's	$54,500 n=45	67% 5yr	$21,538	0.40×	Above +31%	Clears 2/2
194	Connecticut CollegeCT · Bachelor's	$54,495 n=20	–	$24,125	0.44×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
195	University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Bachelor's	$54,444 n=60	85%	$18,937	0.35×	Above +30%	Clears 2/2
196	Baylor UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$54,367 n=24	81% 5yr	$26,000	0.48×	Above +52%	Clears 2/2
197	University of North FloridaFL · Master's	$54,367 n=17	–	–	–	Below -2%	–
198	University of California-IrvineCA · Bachelor's	$54,299 n=116	40%	$16,446	0.30×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
199	Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$54,290 n=84	79%	$10,494	0.19×	Above +36%	Clears 2/2
200	State University of New York at PlattsburghNY · Bachelor's	$54,281 n=24	–	$21,024	0.39×	Above +43%	Below 1/2
201	Morehead State UniversityKY · Master's	$54,214 n=23	75% 1yr	$39,894	0.74×	Below -5%	–
202	University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's	$54,085 n=63	81%	$19,225	0.35×	Above +30%	Below 1/2
203	University of Massachusetts-LowellMA · Bachelor's	$54,039 n=118	70% 5yr	$25,000	0.46×	Above +24%	Below 1/2
204	Duquesne UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$54,025 n=37	77% 5yr	$26,000	0.48×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
205	CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNY · Bachelor's	$54,014 n=61	31%	$10,250	0.19×	Above +42%	Below 1/2
206	Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Master's	$54,001 n=644	37%	$45,100	0.83×	Below -20%	Below 2/2
207	Salisbury UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$53,906 n=39	90%	$21,497	0.40×	Above +28%	Below 1/2
208	The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's	$53,860 n=181	77%	$20,500	0.38×	Above +51%	Clears 2/2
209	University of RochesterNY · Bachelor's	$53,702 n=27	–	$21,000	0.39×	Above +41%	–
210	SUNY Old WestburyNY · Bachelor's	$53,652 n=37	71% 5yr	$14,590	0.27×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
211	Wabash CollegeIN · Bachelor's	$53,638 n=22	–	$27,000	0.50×	Above +43%	Clears 2/2
212	St. Mary's College of MarylandMD · Bachelor's	$53,504 n=31	70% 5yr	$21,375	0.40×	Above +27%	Clears 2/2
213	Nazareth UniversityNY · Bachelor's	$53,423 n=18	81% 5yr	$25,000	0.47×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
214	Framingham State UniversityMA · Bachelor's	$53,400 n=36	80% 5yr	$25,750	0.48×	Above +23%	Below 1/2
215	University of Massachusetts-BostonMA · Bachelor's	$53,347 n=110	62%	$24,212	0.45×	Above +23%	Clears 2/2
216	Flagler CollegeFL · Bachelor's	$53,263 n=33	75% 5yr	$25,913	0.49×	Above +58%	Clears 2/2
217	California State University-Channel IslandsCA · Bachelor's	$53,200 n=50	64% 5yr	$13,000	0.24×	Above +38%	Below 1/2
218	University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Bachelor's	$53,197 n=111	100%	$19,989	0.38×	Above +37%	Clears 2/2
219	Towson UniversityMD · Bachelor's	$53,164 n=86	80%	$19,392	0.36×	Above +26%	Clears 2/2
220	California State University-East BayCA · Bachelor's	$53,147 n=38	58%	$14,863	0.28×	Above +38%	Below 1/2
221	College of Staten Island CUNYNY · Bachelor's	$53,083 n=128	34%	$19,044	0.36×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
222	Lafayette CollegePA · Bachelor's	$53,050 n=22	96% 5yr	$16,500	0.31×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
223	Temple UniversityPA · Bachelor's	$53,018 n=141	70%	$21,613	0.41×	Above +41%	Clears 2/2
224	Utah Tech UniversityUT · Bachelor's	$52,975 n=23	76% 5yr	$12,197	0.23×	Above +33%	Below 1/2
225	Kenyon CollegeOH · Bachelor's	$52,945 n=41	72% 5yr	$19,000	0.36×	Above +44%	Clears 2/2
226	Smith CollegeMA · Bachelor's	$52,938 n=52	86% 5yr	$19,000	0.36×	Above +22%	Clears 2/2
227	Lamar UniversityTX · Bachelor's	$52,897 n=17	–	–	–	Above +48%	–
228	Stockton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's	$52,809 n=59	56%	$23,985	0.45×	Above +32%	Clears 2/2
229	University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineNH · Bachelor's	$52,697 n=163	61%	$24,250	0.46×	Above +19%	–
230	University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNH · Bachelor's	$52,697 n=163	61%	$24,250	0.46×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
231	University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's	$52,697 n=163	61%	$24,250	0.46×	Above +19%	Below 1/2
232	Wheaton CollegeIL · Bachelor's	$52,647 n=26	89% 5yr	$21,101	0.40×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
233	DePaul UniversityIL · Bachelor's	$52,608 n=93	74%	$22,956	0.44×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
234	Florida State UniversityFL · Bachelor's	$52,602 n=468	74%	$18,592	0.35×	Above +56%	Clears 2/2
235	University of North TexasTX · Bachelor's	$52,576 n=183	69%	$20,097	0.38×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
236	Valparaiso UniversityIN · Bachelor's	$52,439 n=17	78% 5yr	$26,000	0.50×	Above +40%	Clears 2/2
237	California Lutheran UniversityCA · Bachelor's	$52,428 n=17	–	$24,000	0.46×	Above +36%	–
238	California State University-BakersfieldCA · Bachelor's	$52,420 n=62	76% 5yr	$14,666	0.28×	Above +36%	Clears 2/2
239	Seattle Pacific UniversityWA · Bachelor's	$52,378 n=24	–	$25,000	0.48×	Above +23%	Below 1/2
240	California State University-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's	$52,259 n=75	83% 5yr	$14,500	0.28×	Above +36%	Clears 2/2
241	Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPA · Bachelor's	$52,137 n=38	87% 5yr	$26,915	0.52×	Above +38%	Clears 2/2
242	Purdue University-Main CampusIN · Bachelor's	$52,053 n=30	63% 1yr	$18,839	0.36×	Above +39%	Below 1/2
243	University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's	$51,988 n=67	87%	$19,500	0.38×	Above +47%	Clears 2/2
244	Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · Bachelor's	$51,955 n=96	73%	$24,854	0.48×	Above +25%	Below 1/2
245	California State University-FullertonCA · Bachelor's	$51,845 n=156	44%	$13,873	0.27×	Above +35%	Clears 2/2
246	College of Saint BenedictMN · Bachelor's	$51,753 n=18	86% 5yr	$27,000	0.52×	Above +29%	Clears 2/2
247	University of South AlabamaAL · Bachelor's	$51,718 n=32	72% 5yr	$21,201	0.41×	Above +50%	Clears 2/2
248	St. Joseph's University-New YorkNY · Bachelor's	$51,715 n=19	77% 5yr	$17,125	0.33×	Above +36%	Clears 2/2
249	College of CharlestonSC · Bachelor's	$51,705 n=48	60%	$23,250	0.45×	Above +50%	Below 1/2
250	University of IowaIA · Bachelor's	$51,679 n=79	100%	$20,400	0.40×	Above +34%	Clears 2/2

Showing the top 250 of 656 institution-programs by median earnings; 406 lower-earning programs are omitted from the table for length.

% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.

By state, median earnings, 4 yrs out

State	Median earn 4yr	Programs
District of Columbia	$76,150	4
Rhode Island	$59,130	4
Vermont	$58,137	3
New Jersey	$56,969	21
Massachusetts	$56,302	34
Connecticut	$55,376	16
New York	$54,674	55
California	$53,750	60
Maryland	$53,334	16
New Hampshire	$52,697	9
Washington	$50,718	10
Iowa	$50,653	8
Pennsylvania	$50,299	43
Arizona	$50,205	8
Virginia	$49,024	19
Illinois	$48,792	24
North Carolina	$48,701	18
Texas	$48,579	38
Nebraska	$48,296	3
Michigan	$48,273	14
Florida	$47,642	17
Maine	$47,324	4
Utah	$47,005	7
Nevada	$46,934	4
Alabama	$46,923	9

States with at least 3 reporting English Language and Literature, General programs, by median graduate earnings.

Frequently asked

Which colleges have the highest-paying English Language and Literature, General programs?

By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying English Language and Literature, General programs in this dataset are Georgetown University ($101,463), Stanford University ($82,036), Seattle University ($78,906). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.

Are English Language and Literature, General programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?

Indicatively, 89 of the 656 English Language and Literature, General programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.