English Language and Literature at Biola University

The immediate post-graduation earnings here—$21,624—should raise a red flag. That's not just below typical English major outcomes; it's nearly $8,000 under California's state median for this field and roughly $4,000 below even the in-state public options like CSU Sacramento. The sharp earnings jump to $45,904 by year four suggests many graduates may need time to find their footing or pursue additional credentials, but that first year represents a financially precarious period where loan payments begin.

With $24,500 in debt—typical for English programs nationally but significantly higher than California's $18,239 median—the math gets tougher. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.13 means graduates owe more than they'll earn in their first year, a threshold that makes standard loan repayment challenging. Compare this to stronger California programs: Chapman graduates earn nearly double at graduation, and even Cal Poly SLO graduates start at $34,718 with likely comparable or lower debt loads.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) warrants caution—these numbers could shift considerably with more data. But based on what's available, this program appears to lag behind both state and national benchmarks when affordability matters most. If your child is set on Biola for community or faith-based reasons, they should enter with minimal debt and realistic expectations about those crucial first years after graduation.