English Language and Literature at College of the Holy Cross

Holy Cross English graduates earn $43,362 in their first year—about $9,000 more than the Massachusetts median for this major and nearly $14,000 above the national figure. More striking is what happens next: earnings jump 60% to nearly $70,000 by year four, placing these graduates among the top earners nationally for English degrees. They're outpacing programs at comparable liberal arts colleges like Amherst and approaching the numbers at career-focused Northeastern.

The debt picture reinforces this advantage. At $27,000, borrowing sits right at the Massachusetts median but translates to a remarkably low 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe less than eight months of their starting salary. Compare this to the typical English graduate who faces similar debt but earns 30% less initially. The Holy Cross network and liberal arts curriculum appear to open doors that accelerate both initial placement and mid-career growth.

For an anxious parent, this is one of the rare English programs that justifies its selective liberal arts price tag with measurable outcomes. Your child won't get rich immediately, but they'll start ahead of most English majors and see substantial earnings growth early in their career—suggesting access to professional opportunities beyond typical entry-level humanities roles.