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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #661 | Greensboro, NC | $21,964 Median English Earnings | $7,314 | 46.2% | 55.3% | |
| #662 | Martin, TN | $21,964 Median English Earnings | $6,949 | 87.3% | 54.8% | |
| #663 | Columbus, MS | $21,964 Median English Earnings | $11,376 | 100.0% | 37.8% | |
| #664 | Orangeburg, NY | $21,964 Median English Earnings | $21,435 | 78.8% | 56.8% | |
| #665 | Columbia CollegePrivate | Columbia, MO | $21,781 Median English Earnings | $26,212 | — | 45.7% |
| #666 | Thousand Oaks, CA | $21,781 Median English Earnings | $17,414 | 88.9% | 74.0% | |
| #667 | Savannah, GA | $21,508 Median English Earnings | $7,238 | — | 25.2% | |
| #668 | Coe CollegePrivate | Cedar Rapids, IA | $21,508 Median English Earnings | $12,657 | 70.7% | 59.0% |
| #669 | Gardner-Webb UniversityPrivate | Boiling Springs, NC | $21,508 Median English Earnings | $21,744 | 87.0% | 61.7% |
| #670 | Agnes Scott CollegePrivate | Decatur, GA | $21,052 Median English Earnings | $20,042 | 67.3% | 70.5% |
| #671 | Meredith CollegePrivate | Raleigh, NC | $21,052 Median English Earnings | $14,882 | 74.7% | 65.0% |
| #672 | Monroe, LA | $20,834 Median English Earnings | $9,709 | 74.6% | 50.6% | |
| #673 | Aberdeen, SD | $20,824 Median English Earnings | $13,560 | 92.8% | 52.2% | |
| #674 | Bluffton, SC | $20,530 Median English Earnings | $11,858 | 69.2% | 38.6% | |
| #675 | Angelo State UniversityPublic | San Angelo, TX | $20,140 Median English Earnings | $9,347 | 79.2% | 40.7% |
| #676 | Saint Joseph, MO | $20,140 Median English Earnings | $10,342 | — | 39.8% | |
| #677 | Wilkes UniversityPrivate | Wilkes-Barre, PA | $20,140 Median English Earnings | $23,760 | 91.5% | 60.3% |
| #678 | Stetson UniversityPrivate | Deland, FL | $20,140 Median English Earnings | $17,596 | 86.4% | 62.8% |
| #679 | Eastern UniversityPrivate | Saint Davids, PA | $20,140 Median English Earnings | $23,050 | 93.6% | 56.0% |
| #680 | Institute, WV | $20,140 Median English Earnings | $8,962 | 96.4% | 33.5% |
