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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Monmouth UniversityPrivate | West Long Branch, NJ | $52,920 Median English Earnings | $19,945 | 89.5% | 70.3% |
| #42 | Berkeley, CA | $52,747 Median English Earnings | $5,895 | 11.7% | 92.9% | |
| #43 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | Lewisburg, PA | $52,650 Median English Earnings | $21,406 | 32.0% | 86.2% |
| #44 | George Mason UniversityPublic | Fairfax, VA | $52,637 Median English Earnings | $12,197 | 88.8% | 69.3% |
| #45 | Washington, DC | $52,555 Median English Earnings | $22,216 | 83.8% | 81.3% | |
| #46 | Bakersfield, CA | $52,346 Median English Earnings | $3,070 | 88.2% | 49.3% | |
| #47 | Morehouse CollegePrivate | Atlanta, GA | $52,273 Median English Earnings | $32,679 | 51.4% | 52.7% |
| #48 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | Spokane, WA | $52,197 Median English Earnings | $23,364 | 76.0% | 86.9% |
| #49 | Stonehill CollegePrivate | Easton, MA | $52,006 Median English Earnings | $17,388 | 72.6% | 80.8% |
| #50 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | Bronx, NY | $51,721 Median English Earnings | $31,239 | 56.3% | 80.3% |
| #51 | San Francisco, CA | $51,668 Median English Earnings | $9,307 | 96.2% | 50.1% | |
| #52 | Clemson UniversityPublic | Clemson, SC | $51,425 Median English Earnings | $14,212 | 38.0% | 87.9% |
| #53 | Caldwell UniversityPrivate | Caldwell, NJ | $51,243 Median English Earnings | $16,458 | 65.4% | 58.7% |
| #54 | William & MaryPublic | Williamsburg, VA | $51,194 Median English Earnings | $6,616 | 32.7% | 91.0% |
| #55 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | Fort Worth, TX | $50,987 Median English Earnings | $15,531 | 42.6% | 85.6% |
| #56 | Pace UniversityPrivate | New York, NY | $50,823 Median English Earnings | $26,575 | 77.1% | 61.4% |
| #57 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | Evanston, IL | $50,797 Median English Earnings | $1,243 | 7.1% | 95.9% |
| #58 | University Of PortlandPrivate | Portland, OR | $50,756 Median English Earnings | $24,994 | 95.4% | 80.4% |
| #59 | Ewing, NJ | $50,697 Median English Earnings | $12,814 | 62.1% | 85.2% | |
| #60 | Providence CollegePrivate | Providence, RI | $50,679 Median English Earnings | $26,070 | 48.7% | 87.8% |
