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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #601 | Stillwater, OK | $27,775 Median English Earnings | $10,690 | 70.9% | 65.9% | |
| #602 | New Orleans, LA | $27,772 Median English Earnings | $9,768 | 66.8% | 42.5% | |
| #603 | Goucher CollegePrivate | Baltimore, MD | $27,753 Median English Earnings | $13,998 | 72.9% | 60.0% |
| #604 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | Detroit, MI | $27,648 Median English Earnings | $12,337 | 82.0% | 56.5% |
| #605 | Aiken, SC | $27,546 Median English Earnings | $7,618 | 79.7% | 40.1% | |
| #606 | Frostburg, MD | $27,488 Median English Earnings | $8,930 | 89.4% | 52.1% | |
| #607 | Los Angeles, CA | $27,439 Median English Earnings | $17,327 | 68.7% | 53.4% | |
| #608 | Moravian UniversityPrivate | Bethlehem, PA | $27,135 Median English Earnings | $26,159 | 54.0% | 71.1% |
| #609 | St. John Fisher UniversityPrivate | Rochester, NY | $27,105 Median English Earnings | $14,994 | 67.8% | 74.4% |
| #610 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | Nashville, TN | $26,994 Median English Earnings | $21,886 | 66.6% | 68.7% |
| #611 | William Jewell CollegePrivate | Liberty, MO | $26,896 Median English Earnings | $9,227 | 34.3% | 61.6% |
| #612 | Hammond, IN | $26,353 Median English Earnings | $4,256 | 70.6% | 44.0% | |
| #613 | Long Island UniversityPrivate | Brookville, NY | $26,353 Median English Earnings | $20,478 | 89.8% | 55.4% |
| #614 | Hollins UniversityPrivate | Roanoke, VA | $26,353 Median English Earnings | $16,579 | 70.9% | 69.7% |
| #615 | Whittier CollegePrivate | Whittier, CA | $25,799 Median English Earnings | $22,678 | 85.4% | 63.4% |
| #616 | Fayetteville, NC | $25,774 Median English Earnings | $5,742 | 79.9% | 35.2% | |
| #617 | Athens, OH | $25,729 Median English Earnings | $13,075 | 84.8% | 66.4% | |
| #618 | Conway, AR | $25,689 Median English Earnings | $14,387 | 90.5% | 53.3% | |
| #619 | Willamette UniversityPrivate | Salem, OR | $25,658 Median English Earnings | $14,603 | 79.1% | 72.7% |
| #620 | Kansas City Art InstitutePrivate | Kansas City, MO | $25,580 Median English Earnings | $27,374 | 60.4% | 64.9% |
