Compare 216 English Language and Literature, General. programs in the South. Average earnings: $37,607.
With top graduates earning $65,722, English Language and Literature, General. stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $28K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Southern Methodist University's English program leads with graduates earning $65,722, followed closely by Duke at $65,074. These numbers challenge assumptions about regional versus elite outcomes—the average across 216 Southern programs is $37,607, yet schools like Virginia Military Institute ($59,857) prove that specialized institutions can compete with prestigious names.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $65,722 | 17 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $65,074 | 41 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Manageable |
| #3 | $59,857 | 11 | $22,996 | Good | $36,278 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $57,710 | 22 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $56,857 | 81 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Challenging |
| #6 | $56,037 | 7 | $29,251 | Good | $16,237 | Challenging | |
| #7 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $55,843 | 31 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Challenging |
| #8 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $55,736 | 52 | $20,449 | Good | $30,881 | Challenging |
| #9 | $54,107 | 187 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Wofford CollegePrivate | $54,078 | 24 | $25,732 | Good | $58,390 | High |
| #11 | Howard UniversityPrivate | $53,815 | 13 | $24,500 | Good | $58,682 | High |
| #12 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $53,767 | 43 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Challenging |
| #13 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $52,954 | 27 | $20,500 | Good | $46,609 | High |
| #14 | $52,555 | 14 | $26,000 | Good | $50,215 | High | |
| #15 | Morehouse CollegePrivate | $52,273 | 25 | $25,000 | Good | $87,329 | High |
| #16 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $51,789 | 38 | $18,250 | Good | $30,480 | High |
| #17 | William & MaryPublic | $51,194 | 76 | $18,500 | Good | $30,326 | High |
| #18 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $50,987 | 17 | $21,500 | Good | $54,925 | High |
| #19 | Mount St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | $49,733 | 11 | $25,391 | Manageable | $42,721 | High |
| #20 | $49,368 | 28 | $17,831 | Good | $14,731 | Manageable | |
| #21 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $49,332 | 52 | $21,500 | Good | $23,443 | Challenging |
| #22 | $48,910 | 86 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #23 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $48,616 | 91 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | High |
| #24 | $48,368 | 64 | $20,500 | Good | $26,240 | High | |
| #25 | $48,296 | 138 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Challenging |
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 →
