English Language and Literature at Baldwin Wallace University

Baldwin Wallace's English program shows impressive earnings growth—graduates earning $26,760 initially see a 48% jump to $39,466 by year four—but the starting point is concerning. That first-year figure lands in just the 30th percentile nationally and 40th percentile among Ohio's 71 English programs, meaning most graduates elsewhere do better right out of the gate. Even with strong growth, the four-year earnings still trail top Ohio programs like Wright State ($33,011) by about $6,500 annually in starting salary.

The debt load of $27,000 is actually favorable—5th percentile nationally means 95% of comparable programs leave students with more debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.01 is manageable, roughly equivalent to one year's starting salary. The real question is whether that initial salary squeeze is workable for your family, especially since many English majors pursue graduate degrees or teaching credentials that delay full earning potential.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs, so a single outlier could skew the picture significantly. If your child is considering this path, the relatively low debt matters more than the middling earnings, but you should verify career placement support and understand what your child plans to do with the degree—those four-year earnings suggest some graduates find their footing, but the rocky start is real.