English Language and Literature at Brown University

Brown's English program delivers earnings nearly 70% above the national median for English majors ($50,437 vs. $29,967) while keeping debt well below average—just $13,500 compared to the $24,529 national median. This combination places it in the 95th percentile nationally for both earnings and low debt, an unusual feat that reflects Brown's elite reputation and alumni network. Even within Rhode Island, where Brown dominates, this program ranks in the 80th percentile, earning considerably more than Providence College's English graduates ($40,798).

The one complication: earnings dip by 8% between years one and four, dropping to $46,388. This likely reflects the career paths many English majors pursue—journalism, publishing, nonprofits, teaching, or graduate school—where early-career compensation can fluctuate before professional trajectories solidify. However, even with this decline, graduates are still earning more than 75% of English majors nationwide earn at their peak.

With a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27, graduates owe roughly three months' salary—a manageable burden that provides flexibility to pursue lower-paying but meaningful work without financial strain. For students admitted to Brown who are genuinely passionate about literature and writing, this program offers the rare combination of intellectual rigor and financial viability that most humanities degrees struggle to deliver.