Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $29,221 track close to the $30,427 national median for English programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The financial case is thin at 2.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
Some AI exposure exists in English's typical career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $26,434 represents roughly 11 months of the $29,221 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #455 of 493 English programs, Wheaton College (Massachusetts) falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $46,505 show a 59% jump from the $29,221 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.