Analysis
Eastern Michigan's English program starts graduates at just $25,412—about $3,500 below Michigan's median for English majors and more than $4,500 below the national benchmark. Among Michigan's 32 English programs, this ranks exactly in the middle at the 40th percentile, but trailing significantly behind nearby competitors like Grand Valley ($39,334) and Wayne State ($35,549). The program does show strong earnings growth of 44% by year four, reaching $36,652, though graduates still begin their careers well behind peers from other state schools.
The debt picture adds complexity: at $31,000, graduates carry about $4,000 more than Michigan's median for English programs and $6,500 above the national benchmark. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.22—meaning graduates owe more than their entire first year's salary. For comparison, that first-year income is roughly equivalent to $12-13 per hour full-time, making those loan payments particularly challenging in the early years.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year, but the pattern suggests caution. If your child is committed to English, the stronger outcomes at Grand Valley or Wayne State would justify serious consideration, especially given the $10,000-14,000 earnings advantage those programs show even in the first year post-graduation.
Where Eastern Michigan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all english language and literature bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Eastern Michigan University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan University | $25,412 | $36,652 | +44% |
| Kalamazoo College | $24,329 | $49,257 | +102% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $33,742 | $48,367 | +43% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $32,758 | $45,159 | +38% |
| Michigan State University | $28,927 | $44,513 | +54% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
English Language and Literature bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (32 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti | $15,510 | $25,412 | $36,652 | $31,000 | 1.22 |
 Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale | $14,628 | $39,334 | $41,299 | $28,570 | 0.73 |
 Wayne State UniversityDetroit | $14,297 | $35,549 | $27,648 | $27,000 | 0.76 |
 University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor | $17,228 | $33,742 | $48,367 | $16,937 | 0.50 |
 University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn | $14,944 | $32,758 | $45,159 | $31,000 | 0.95 |
 Oakland UniversityRochester Hills | $14,694 | $31,746 | $43,138 | $25,990 | 0.82 |
| National Median | — | $29,967 | — | $24,529 | 0.82 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with english language and literature graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Eastern Michigan University, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 34 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.