English Language and Literature at California State University-Chico

CSU-Chico's English program starts rough but tells an unusual comeback story. That $27,000 first-year salary—well below the national average—jumps 59% to $43,000 by year four, one of the stronger growth trajectories you'll see for this major. Graduates essentially double their national percentile ranking over those few years, moving from bottom-third to middle-of-the-pack performance.

The context matters here: among California's 72 English programs, this one sits at the 60th percentile for earnings despite ranking 32nd nationally. California's English grads generally struggle more than the national average, so outperforming most in-state peers is meaningful. The $15,950 debt load is also genuinely low—95th percentile nationally means only 5% of English programs leave graduates with less debt. That 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio gives new graduates real breathing room during those lean early years.

The tradeoff is straightforward: expect a financially tight first year or two out of college, but if your child sticks with their career path, earnings improve substantially. This isn't Chapman University ($40,000+ starting), but at less than half the typical debt burden, it's a safer bet for a humanities degree. The accessible admission and high Pell Grant percentage suggest this program serves students who need an affordable path to a four-year degree—and on that measure, it delivers.