English Language and Literature at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

For an English degree that carries an estimated $26,000 in debt, the four-year earnings figure of $29,839 reveals something troubling: graduates appear to be earning *less* after four years than they did in their first year out of college. While similar programs across New Jersey typically produce first-year earnings around $35,000, this backward trajectory suggests graduates may struggle to find stable career footing in their field.

The debt load itself isn't unreasonable—comparable programs in New Jersey average similar amounts, and the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 starts within manageable territory. But that calculation assumes forward momentum in earnings, not decline. Compare this to top-performing English programs in the state: Monmouth graduates earn over $50,000, and even public Rowan University produces mid-career earnings near $38,000. With 69% of students receiving Pell grants, Bloomfield serves a population that particularly needs reliable economic outcomes.

The real question is whether this earnings dip reflects temporary setbacks (graduates pursuing unpaid internships or graduate school) or a more persistent pattern. Without seeing the two- and three-year data points, you're left with significant uncertainty about whether this program launches careers that eventually gain traction. For a family counting on this degree to justify the investment, that's a considerable blind spot to navigate.