HUMANITIES College Major

English

Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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About English

Writing, rhetoric, and literary analysis — preparation for journalism, publishing, law, and any career where clear communication is your competitive edge. Graduates earn a national median of $48,590 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,684 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 50,299 students complete degrees in this area each year.

Median Earnings · 1yr
$29,657
Median Earnings · 4yr
$48,590
Colleges Offering
1,684
Graduates / Year
50,299
Specializations
4
Avg Net Price / yr
$18,535

Is a English Degree Right for You?

$48,590 Median earnings · 4yr
+0.9% 10yr job growth
4 Specializations

Is the Investment Worth It?

Breaks even in ~4 yrs vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Annual earnings
$48,590/yr
Total 4yr cost
$74,140

Solid ROI. Median earnings of $48,590 after 4 years. Against an estimated $74,140 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 4.0 years.

ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.

How Much Do English Majors Earn?

English graduates start at a median $29,657 one year out and reach $48,590 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,684 US institutions offering programs in this field.

$29,657
1 Year After Graduation

Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.

$48,590
4-Year National Median

Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.

$48,460
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.

Earnings Range Across Specializations

Not all English specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $48,590/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $46,173/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.

$46,173 Lowest
$48,590 Median
$48,590 Highest

What Can You Do With an English Degree?

Career Paths for English Graduates

English connects to 5 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Technical Writers leads in median earnings at $90,390/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.

Technical Writers Bachelor's degree
$90,390 ↗ +0.9% growth
English Language and Literature Teachers Doctoral or professional degree
$78,760 ↗ +0.0% growth
Editor Bachelor's degree
$77,920 ↗ +0.6% growth
Writer & Author Bachelor's degree
$76,910 ↗ +3.6% growth
Secondary School Teacher Bachelor's degree
$72,040 ↘ -1.6% growth

English Specializations

English spans 4 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $46,173 to $48,590 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.

Specialization Colleges Grads/yr Earnings · 4yr
English 1,524 35,472 $48,590
Rhetoric & Composition 766 13,176 $48,471
English Language and Literature/Letters 79 877 $46,634
Literature 118 774 $46,173

Best Colleges for English

The 20 colleges below are ranked by English graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

1
Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit
Acceptance 99.5%
Net price/yr $36,708
Earnings 10yr $50,318
Grad rate 30%
2
University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public
Acceptance 40.1%
Net price/yr $10,411
Earnings 10yr $58,308
Grad rate 55%
3
Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance 4%
Net price/yr $21,590
Earnings 10yr $102,491
Grad rate 79%
4
Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public
Acceptance 24.2%
Net price/yr $11,297
Earnings 10yr $61,675
Grad rate 78%
5
California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public
Acceptance 46.3%
Net price/yr $10,440
Earnings 10yr $64,403
Grad rate 78%
6
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public
Acceptance 83.6%
Net price/yr $22,531
Earnings 10yr $64,762
Grad rate 66%
7
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance 11%
Net price/yr $13,481
Earnings 10yr $92,446
Grad rate 74%
8
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN · Public
Acceptance 79.8%
Net price/yr $16,778
Earnings 10yr $69,020
Grad rate 75%
9
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance 99%
Net price/yr $29,357
Earnings 10yr $44,813
Grad rate 34%
10
Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA · Public
Acceptance 90.4%
Net price/yr $14,638
Earnings 10yr $54,914
Grad rate 49%
11
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance 9%
Net price/yr $12,548
Earnings 10yr $82,511
Grad rate 82%
12
University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA · Public
Acceptance 76.4%
Net price/yr $14,304
Earnings 10yr $67,699
Grad rate 63%
13
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance 89.9%
Net price/yr $14,967
Earnings 10yr $62,668
Grad rate 59%
14
Texas State University San Marcos, TX · Public
Acceptance 89.3%
Net price/yr $16,805
Earnings 10yr $56,906
Grad rate 60%
15
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA · Public
Acceptance 58.1%
Net price/yr $30,434
Earnings 10yr $66,125
Grad rate 71%
16
Florida International University Miami, FL · Public
Acceptance 54.7%
Net price/yr $9,288
Earnings 10yr $60,249
Grad rate 54%
17
New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance 9.2%
Net price/yr $37,050
Earnings 10yr $82,509
Grad rate 76%
18
California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA · Public
Acceptance 93.5%
Net price/yr $7,021
Earnings 10yr $59,115
Grad rate 64%
19
Western Washington University Bellingham, WA · Public
Acceptance 93.3%
Net price/yr $21,193
Earnings 10yr $62,569
Grad rate 66%
20
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public
Acceptance 26.6%
Net price/yr $19,857
Earnings 10yr $75,121
Grad rate 81%
View all colleges

Ranked by number of English graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How English Compares to Similar Majors

Major
$30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k
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Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a English degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a English degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

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College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

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Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

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College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

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English Degree: Pros & Cons

English carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 2 strengths and 2 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS
  • Wide availability Offered at 1,684 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
  • Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $29,657 at graduation to $48,590 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
  • Modest median earnings Four-year median of $48,590 lags behind many STEM and business fields, which can affect ROI at higher-cost programs.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.

English Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do English graduates earn?
English graduates earn a national median of $48,590 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a English degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for English degree holders is $29,657 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a English degree?
English degree holders work in a range of careers. Technical Writers is one of the top roles by median wage ($90,390/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer English?
1,684 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in English, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a English degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $48,590 and an average net price of roughly $18,535/yr across institutions offering this major, a English degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a English degree?
A bachelor's degree in English typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in English graduates?
Employers hiring English graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for English graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for English graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +0.7% projected growth across related occupations. Writer & Author is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.6%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.

Related HUMANITIES Majors

Other majors in the HUMANITIES category. Compare earnings, specializations, and career paths before deciding where to focus your studies.

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2,214 colleges 1 specializations
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1,866 colleges 46 specializations
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1,697 colleges 6 specializations
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Rankings for English Colleges

The most affordable and highest-earning colleges for English, ranked from the federal data.

  • Most Affordable English Colleges

    The most affordable colleges for English, ranked by net price with earnings and outcomes shown.

    • $1,300 Lowest Net
    • $20,586 Avg Net
    • 93 UCD Score
    • $75,971 Top Earn

  • Highest-Earning English Colleges

    The highest-earning colleges for English, ranked by graduate salary 10 years after entry.

    • $143,372 Top Earn
    • $59,876 Avg Earn
    • 94 UCD Score
    • 1,218 Colleges

Related Guides

Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.

  • H

    How to Choose a Major Pillar

    A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.

    • Interest vs income
    • Earnings data
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    • Switching majors
    • Fit factors
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  • D

    Double Majors and Minors: When They're Worth It

    The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.

    • Double major
    • Minors
    • Time cost
    • Earnings impact
    • When worth it
    Explore guide
  • J

    Job Growth Projections: How to Use BLS Data

    Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.

    • BLS data
    • Job outlook
    • Growth projections
    • Reading the data
    • Career demand
    Explore guide

Related Findings

Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.

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