English Language and Literature/Letters, Other: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other graduates earn a median $46,634 four years after finishing — at or below the $48,360 high-school baseline, so on national medians the degree does not clear a typical bill on earnings alone. Where you study and the specific role matter more here than the field average. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other ranks #185 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 9% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-San Diego | CA | $57,900 |
| 2 | California State University-Dominguez Hills | CA | $57,245 |
| 3 | Empire State University | NY | $54,265 |
| 4 | Middlebury College | VT | $53,914 |
| 5 | Bard College | NY | $50,402 |
| 6 | Rowan University | NJ | $47,677 |
| 7 | University of Iowa | IA | $40,434 |
| 8 | Suffolk University | MA | $38,139 |
| 9 | Ohio University-Main Campus | OH | $37,785 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.