English Language and Literature at Drew University

Drew's English program charges more than average but delivers below-average outcomes for New Jersey—a troubling combination for in-state families. While first-year earnings of $32,279 beat the national median by about $2,300, they fall nearly $3,000 short of what typical New Jersey English graduates earn. Among the state's 25 programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, meaning three out of five comparable New Jersey programs produce better early earnings. When nearby Rowan University English grads start at $37,815 and Monmouth grads earn over $50,000, the gap becomes hard to ignore.

The relatively low debt of $27,000—better than 95% of English programs nationally—provides some cushion, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 that's manageable by humanities standards. However, that silver lining assumes these numbers hold up: the sample size here is small (under 30 graduates), meaning one or two outlier outcomes could skew the picture significantly. The data could shift considerably with more graduates tracked.

For New Jersey families, this is a tough sell at private-school prices when strong state universities offer demonstrably better English program outcomes. Unless Drew provides unique opportunities that justify the earnings gap, families should seriously weigh whether this investment makes sense when alternatives like Rowan deliver 17% higher starting salaries at likely lower cost.