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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #61 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $50,644 Median English Earnings | $6,476 | 29.8% | 85.2% | |
| #62 | Rider UniversityPrivate | Lawrenceville, NJ | $50,626 Median English Earnings | $17,331 | 79.4% | 63.3% |
| #63 | Amherst, MA | $50,529 Median English Earnings | $11,103 | 57.8% | 83.2% | |
| #64 | Skidmore CollegePrivate | Saratoga Springs, NY | $50,391 Median English Earnings | $20,906 | 22.9% | 81.7% |
| #65 | Saint Joseph's UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $50,274 Median English Earnings | $30,742 | 86.4% | 79.8% |
| #66 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | Vestal, NY | $50,156 Median English Earnings | $12,916 | 37.7% | 83.7% |
| #67 | New York, NY | $50,085 Median English Earnings | $6,342 | 4.2% | 95.0% | |
| #68 | Washington, PA | $49,992 Median English Earnings | $21,102 | 81.5% | 71.4% | |
| #69 | West Chester, PA | $49,940 Median English Earnings | $16,800 | 79.2% | 69.8% | |
| #70 | Los Angeles, CA | $49,897 Median English Earnings | $6,864 | 8.7% | 92.7% | |
| #71 | Simmons UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $49,781 Median English Earnings | $19,518 | 66.0% | 71.3% |
| #72 | Mount St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | Emmitsburg, MD | $49,733 Median English Earnings | $14,674 | 71.9% | 58.0% |
| #73 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | Cambridge, MA | $49,675 Median English Earnings | $2,895 | 3.5% | 97.3% |
| #74 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | Hamilton, NY | $49,657 Median English Earnings | $3,341 | 11.9% | 90.5% |
| #75 | Austin, TX | $49,547 Median English Earnings | $12,972 | 29.1% | 87.6% | |
| #76 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | Bethlehem, PA | $49,498 Median English Earnings | $15,440 | 29.3% | 89.2% |
| #77 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | Rohnert Park, CA | $49,487 Median English Earnings | $9,406 | 94.7% | 60.5% |
| #78 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | South Orange, NJ | $49,473 Median English Earnings | $17,681 | 78.9% | 71.5% |
| #79 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | Orange, CA | $49,439 Median English Earnings | $37,985 | 55.6% | 80.4% |
| #80 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | Lubbock, TX | $49,434 Median English Earnings | $13,922 | 70.9% | 67.5% |
