English Degree in Lakewood, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
English degree analysis for Lakewood, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
14.7 yrs
in Lakewood
Cost of Living
105.8
index (100 = avg)
English in Lakewood, CO Overview
Lakewood, Colorado (pop. 155,984) has 6 colleges offering English programs. The local cost of living index of 105.8 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,395/month. Although national enrollment in English has been declining, graduates with skills in Writing and Critical Analysis remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Lakewood is approximately $44,436.
Category
Humanities
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$12,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,028/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,371/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
English Salary in Lakewood (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lakewood's cost of living index of 105.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average English salary: $42,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Lakewood adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
English ROI Calculator for Lakewood
Estimate your return on investment for a English degree using local Lakewood tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Lakewood avg aid: $8,371/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,912
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,406
vs HS diploma in Lakewood
ROI Payback Period
14.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lakewood
$123,848
Lifetime earnings premium ($232,760) minus total education cost ($108,912)
Student Loan Payoff for English in Lakewood
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lakewood for English
Lakewood State University
public
$11,245/yr
$44,980 total
University of Lakewood
public
$12,683/yr
$50,732 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lakewood Community College
$5,959/yr
Top Employers for English in Lakewood
Lakewood offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for English graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lakewood Hiring Sectors for Humanities
Publishing
Non-profits
Education
Media companies
Government
Common English Job Titles
English in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$54K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$51K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$47K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$53K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Thornton, CO
$43K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$44K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$44K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$51K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Humanities Majors in Lakewood
Chinese Studies
$58K starting · 4 yr ROI
Linguistics
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Philosophy
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Foreign Languages & Literatures
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
History
$47K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Classical Studies
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Classics
$53K starting · 8 yr ROI
Africana Studies
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate English degree outcomes in Lakewood, CO: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for English programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Colorado.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Lakewood using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for English graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — English career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for English grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Lakewood Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Colorado students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Colorado programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "colorado higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
English Degree in Lakewood — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare English ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Lakewood.