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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #81 | Grinnell CollegePrivate | Grinnell, IA | $49,405 Median English Earnings | $6,739 | 12.7% | 87.5% |
| #82 | Houston, TX | $49,368 Median English Earnings | $7,818 | 75.3% | 50.8% | |
| #83 | Muhlenberg CollegePrivate | Allentown, PA | $49,364 Median English Earnings | $13,742 | 64.0% | 80.3% |
| #84 | Kalamazoo CollegePrivate | Kalamazoo, MI | $49,257 Median English Earnings | $14,732 | 76.2% | 81.7% |
| #85 | Amherst CollegePrivate | Amherst, MA | $49,206 Median English Earnings | $1,888 | 9.8% | 93.4% |
| #86 | Sacred Heart UniversityPrivate | Fairfield, CT | $49,152 Median English Earnings | $37,374 | 67.7% | 74.5% |
| #87 | University Of RochesterPrivate | Rochester, NY | $49,046 Median English Earnings | $13,743 | 35.9% | 84.5% |
| #88 | Blacksburg, VA | $48,910 Median English Earnings | $13,536 | 57.0% | 86.3% | |
| #89 | Smith CollegePrivate | Northampton, MA | $48,861 Median English Earnings | $7,033 | 19.7% | 89.7% |
| #90 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $48,771 Median English Earnings | $5,900 | 5.7% | 90.4% |
| #91 | Xavier UniversityPrivate | Cincinnati, OH | $48,723 Median English Earnings | $28,499 | 87.7% | 70.5% |
| #92 | Los Angeles, CA | $48,656 Median English Earnings | $15,470 | 10.0% | 92.0% | |
| #93 | New York, NY | $48,588 Median English Earnings | $745 | 50.5% | 72.1% | |
| #94 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | Ithaca, NY | $48,481 Median English Earnings | $4,079 | 8.2% | 95.1% |
| #95 | Minneapolis, MN | $48,463 Median English Earnings | $7,262 | 77.0% | 84.8% | |
| #96 | New Brunswick, NJ | $48,386 Median English Earnings | $15,885 | 65.3% | 85.0% | |
| #97 | Marist CollegePrivate | Poughkeepsie, NY | $48,372 Median English Earnings | $25,331 | 64.7% | 79.8% |
| #98 | Fredericksburg, VA | $48,368 Median English Earnings | $11,137 | 86.3% | 67.4% | |
| #99 | Chapel Hill, NC | $48,296 Median English Earnings | $3,165 | 18.7% | 92.1% | |
| #100 | Connecticut CollegePrivate | New London, CT | $48,237 Median English Earnings | $13,666 | 38.3% | 83.8% |
