English Language and Literature at Bucknell University

Bucknell's English program starts graduates at $34,000—well above Pennsylvania's median of $30,000 and higher than 72% of English programs nationally—but the real story emerges four years out, when median earnings jump to $60,450. That 78% earnings growth suggests graduates are successfully pivoting into careers that value liberal arts skills, whether in communications, marketing, management, or other fields where English majors increasingly compete.

The $27,000 in median debt matches Pennsylvania's typical borrowing for this major and translates to a manageable 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's reasonable for a humanities degree, though parents should note the relatively modest starting salary means the first few years require careful budgeting. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania's 76 English programs—respectable but not elite, especially compared to Penn or Gettysburg, which place graduates earning over $40,000 immediately.

One crucial caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes will vary more than usual. For students drawn to English at a selective liberal arts college (32% admission rate, strong academics), Bucknell delivers solid employment outcomes with controllable debt. The trajectory matters more than the starting point here—just ensure your child has a plan for translating literary analysis skills into marketable career competencies.