English programs produce graduates with median earnings ranging from $38,289 to $124,080, with program selection driving significant career trajectory differences. Across 479 programs, graduates achieve median earnings of $63,221—$7,404 higher than the national average, demonstrating the enduring value of strong writing skills and liberal arts foundations in today's economy.
Leading the rankings is Carnegie Mellon University, achieving the highest program earnings at $76,444, followed by College Of The Holy Cross at $69,556 and Duke University at $65,074. These top-performing programs demonstrate how rigorous humanities education translates into exceptional career outcomes and median earnings that exceed typical liberal arts expectations.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | Pittsburgh, PA | $76,444 Median English Earnings | $8,460 | 11.4% | 92.5% |
| #2 | College Of The Holy CrossPrivate | Worcester, MA | $69,556 Median English Earnings | $14,900 | 21.1% | 89.6% |
| #3 | Dallas, TX | $65,722 Median English Earnings | $30,165 | 61.2% | 83.3% | |
| #4 | Duke UniversityPrivate | Durham, NC | $65,074 Median English Earnings | $3,295 | 6.8% | 95.8% |
| #5 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | Villanova, PA | $64,967 Median English Earnings | $16,914 | 25.1% | 92.4% |
| #6 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | Santa Clara, CA | $64,019 Median English Earnings | $36,094 | 43.8% | 88.4% |
| #7 | Barnard CollegePrivate | New York, NY | $63,564 Median English Earnings | $14,486 | 8.0% | 92.9% |
| #8 | Yale UniversityPrivate | New Haven, CT | $60,462 Median English Earnings | $28,132 | 4.5% | 96.3% |
| #9 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | Notre Dame, IN | $60,383 Median English Earnings | $8,873 | 12.4% | 96.8% |
| #10 | Lexington, VA | $59,857 Median English Earnings | $3,152 | 81.7% | 81.8% | |
| #11 | Fairfield UniversityPrivate | Fairfield, CT | $59,811 Median English Earnings | $32,161 | 45.0% | 83.8% |
| #12 | Bates CollegePrivate | Lewiston, ME | $58,988 Median English Earnings | $4,263 | 13.0% | 90.6% |
| #13 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | San Francisco, CA | $57,848 Median English Earnings | $31,741 | 50.8% | 71.1% |
| #14 | Lexington, VA | $57,710 Median English Earnings | $76 | 17.4% | 94.9% | |
| #15 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | Easton, PA | $57,474 Median English Earnings | $11,903 | 31.5% | 88.0% |
| #16 | Boston CollegePrivate | Chestnut Hill, MA | $57,075 Median English Earnings | $5,851 | 15.7% | 91.0% |
| #17 | Saint Anselm CollegePrivate | Manchester, NH | $57,001 Median English Earnings | $23,658 | 78.3% | 83.2% |
| #18 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $56,857 Median English Earnings | $5,340 | 13.1% | 94.3% |
| #19 | Williams CollegePrivate | Williamstown, MA | $56,571 Median English Earnings | -$2,421 | 10.0% | 96.5% |
| #20 | Wagner CollegePrivate | Staten Island, NY | $56,311 Median English Earnings | $22,751 | 83.5% | 68.1% |
