English Language and Literature at East Texas A&M University

East Texas A&M's English program shows unusually strong first-year outcomes—graduates earn $43,470 initially, placing them in the 80th percentile among Texas English programs and 95th percentile nationally. That's $10,000 more than the typical Texas English graduate and nearly $14,000 above the national median. Even better, students carry just $13,407 in debt, less than half the national average for this degree. For an accessible regional university (93% admission rate, serving many Pell-eligible students), these numbers stand out.

The challenge is sustainability. Earnings drop to $37,497 by year four—a 14% decline that's concerning even if the four-year figure still outpaces state and national medians. This could reflect graduates taking teaching positions with back-loaded salary schedules, career pivots, or simply the volatility you'd expect from a small sample (under 30 graduates in the dataset). The debt-to-earnings ratio remains healthy at 0.31, meaning debt stays manageable even with the earnings dip.

For parents of students set on English, this program delivers strong launch outcomes at minimal cost. Just understand that the earnings trajectory isn't guaranteed given the small sample, and be prepared for income that may not follow a traditional upward path. The low debt provides cushioning if career adjustments become necessary.