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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #621 | University Of IdahoPublic | Moscow, ID | $25,558 Median English Earnings | $9,930 | 79.1% | 60.9% |
| #622 | The University Of TampaPrivate | Tampa, FL | $25,510 Median English Earnings | $30,631 | 40.9% | 61.9% |
| #623 | Trinity UniversityPrivate | San Antonio, TX | $25,216 Median English Earnings | $14,184 | 28.2% | 81.9% |
| #624 | Prairie View, TX | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $9,605 | 75.3% | 43.2% | |
| #625 | Spartanburg, SC | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $11,021 | 69.6% | 42.4% | |
| #626 | Manhattan CollegePrivate | Riverdale, NY | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $24,024 | 78.5% | 66.0% |
| #627 | Cortland, NY | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $11,272 | 50.7% | 68.3% | |
| #628 | Oshkosh, WI | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $9,232 | 86.7% | 57.9% | |
| #629 | Tusculum UniversityPrivate | Greeneville, TN | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $18,818 | 60.4% | 30.5% |
| #630 | Hanover CollegePrivate | Hanover, IN | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $16,238 | 84.0% | 63.6% |
| #631 | Pacific UniversityPrivate | Forest Grove, OR | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $22,238 | 91.8% | 64.8% |
| #632 | Belmont Abbey CollegePrivate | Belmont, NC | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $17,985 | 90.4% | 46.4% |
| #633 | Saint Paul, MN | $25,194 Median English Earnings | $21,812 | 91.9% | 68.4% | |
| #634 | Lancaster, PA | $25,124 Median English Earnings | $13,331 | 31.8% | 86.0% | |
| #635 | Southwestern UniversityPrivate | Georgetown, TX | $25,060 Median English Earnings | $18,791 | 39.1% | 69.3% |
| #636 | Aquinas CollegePrivate | Grand Rapids, MI | $24,850 Median English Earnings | $12,141 | 71.1% | 62.5% |
| #637 | Marywood UniversityPrivate | Scranton, PA | $24,615 Median English Earnings | $19,389 | 83.7% | 72.5% |
| #638 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | Grand Rapids, MI | $24,615 Median English Earnings | $20,249 | 71.3% | 77.4% |
| #639 | Macalester CollegePrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $24,516 Median English Earnings | $12,877 | 28.2% | 90.4% |
| #640 | Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | Santa Paula, CA | $24,516 Median English Earnings | $16,761 | 78.7% | 82.0% |