English Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of the English language, literature, and written expression.
Starting Salary
$42K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
7 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
English Overview
Study of the English language, literature, and written expression.
Category
Humanities
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
38%
Lifetime Premium
$220K
Female Graduates
65%
English Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$16,200
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$16,200
after scholarships
ROI Payback
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$203,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($220,000) minus net degree cost ($16,200)
English Salary Progression
Common English Careers
Content Writer
Editor
Technical Writer
Teacher
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for English
#1
Harvard
#2
Yale
#3
Stanford
#4
Columbia
#5
Princeton
Related Majors
English Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
English Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for english programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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