Compare 21 English Language and Literature, General. programs in North Carolina. Average earnings: $35,044.
English Language and Literature programs produce graduates earning between $21,508 and $65,074—a $43K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 21 ranked programs in North Carolina, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Duke University's English program leads with graduates earning $65,074, well above the state average of $35,044. But the story extends beyond prestige—Elon University ($52,954) and UNC Chapel Hill ($48,296) demonstrate that strong outcomes don't require the most selective admissions, with acceptance rates of 67% and 19% respectively.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $65,074 | 41 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Manageable |
| #2 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $52,954 | 27 | $20,500 | Good | $46,609 | High |
| #3 | $48,296 | 138 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $42,708 | 101 | $20,121 | Manageable | $23,000 | High | |
| #5 | $42,225 | 59 | $19,500 | Manageable | $22,737 | High | |
| #6 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $40,896 | 49 | $21,500 | Manageable | $30,000 | High |
| #7 | $40,351 | 12 | $28,250 | Challenging | $19,245 | High | |
| #8 | $39,169 | 79 | $22,858 | Challenging | $14,638 | High | |
| #9 | $38,403 | 117 | $21,500 | Challenging | $19,809 | High | |
| #10 | $35,970 | 38 | $21,868 | Challenging | $18,241 | High | |
| #11 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $32,229 | 51 | $22,750 | High | $19,710 | High |
| #12 | $30,183 | 81 | $20,231 | High | $21,919 | High | |
| #13 | $29,503 | 36 | $20,500 | High | $20,305 | High | |
| #14 | Guilford CollegePrivate | $29,444 | 12 | $26,000 | High | $37,100 | High |
| #15 | $28,598 | 5 | $21,463 | High | $10,645 | High | |
| #16 | $25,774 | 8 | $22,987 | High | $8,791 | High | |
| #17 | Belmont Abbey CollegePrivate | $25,194 | 7 | $26,000 | High | $38,303 | High |
| #18 | $24,421 | 5 | $25,000 | High | $12,030 | High | |
| #19 | $21,964 | 25 | $27,000 | High | $20,004 | High | |
| #20 | Gardner-Webb UniversityPrivate | $21,508 | 5 | $24,222 | High | $19,524 | High |
| #21 | Meredith CollegePrivate | $21,052 | 16 | $25,000 | High | $44,613 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
