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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Dickinson CollegePrivate | Carlisle, PA | $56,242 Median English Earnings | $17,167 | 43.1% | 83.4% |
| #22 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | Los Angeles, CA | $56,111 Median English Earnings | $30,208 | 40.3% | 79.8% |
| #23 | Baton Rouge, LA | $56,037 Median English Earnings | $18,473 | 49.9% | 28.4% | |
| #24 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Houston, TX | $55,843 Median English Earnings | $3,221 | 7.9% | 95.7% |
| #25 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $55,736 Median English Earnings | $21,396 | 43.5% | 85.2% |
| #26 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | Hanover, NH | $55,730 Median English Earnings | $2,978 | 6.2% | 96.0% |
| #27 | New York UniversityPrivate | New York, NY | $55,481 Median English Earnings | $16,816 | 9.4% | 88.5% |
| #28 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | Baltimore, MD | $54,995 Median English Earnings | $1,473 | 7.6% | 94.6% |
| #29 | Georgian Court UniversityPrivate | Lakewood, NJ | $54,818 Median English Earnings | $15,879 | 70.5% | 55.1% |
| #30 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | Wellesley, MA | $54,525 Median English Earnings | $5,695 | 13.9% | 91.2% |
| #31 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $54,305 Median English Earnings | $27,737 | 77.5% | 77.1% |
| #32 | James Madison UniversityPublic | Harrisonburg, VA | $54,256 Median English Earnings | $10,582 | 76.3% | 80.9% |
| #33 | Charlottesville, VA | $54,107 Median English Earnings | $10,123 | 16.9% | 95.3% | |
| #34 | Gettysburg CollegePrivate | Gettysburg, PA | $54,100 Median English Earnings | $14,666 | 47.5% | 82.7% |
| #35 | Wofford CollegePrivate | Spartanburg, SC | $54,078 Median English Earnings | $14,804 | 58.6% | 80.8% |
| #36 | University Of The PacificPrivate | Stockton, CA | $53,852 Median English Earnings | $17,716 | 94.9% | 67.8% |
| #37 | Howard UniversityPrivate | Washington, DC | $53,815 Median English Earnings | $44,234 | 34.9% | 68.9% |
| #38 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $53,767 Median English Earnings | $5,797 | 6.3% | 92.7% |
| #39 | Turlock, CA | $53,207 Median English Earnings | $3,218 | 97.5% | 58.0% | |
| #40 | Elon UniversityPrivate | Elon, NC | $52,954 Median English Earnings | $27,108 | 67.3% | 83.0% |
