English Language and Literature at Augustana University

Augustana's English program produces graduates earning $36,247 in their first year—substantially higher than the national median of $30,000 for English majors, placing it in the 82nd percentile nationally. However, within South Dakota's small pool of eight English programs, it lands in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing South Dakota State's $37,252. The $26,000 median debt is actually below both national and state averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 that's quite manageable for a humanities degree.

The real question is trajectory. Earnings climb 24% to nearly $45,000 by year four, which demonstrates solid career progression for English grads—many of whom pursue teaching, communications, or further graduate education. That said, we're working with a sample size under 30 graduates, so a few outliers could significantly skew these figures either way. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (16%) suggests this is predominantly serving middle- and upper-income families who may have additional financial cushion.

For a family considering this program: you're looking at below-average debt paired with above-average national outcomes, though not exceptional within South Dakota. If your child is drawn to Augustana's liberal arts environment and the debt figure holds, it's a reasonable bet—just recognize that English degrees typically require strategic career planning or graduate school to maximize earnings potential.