English Language and Literature at Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University's English program shows promising earnings growth—from roughly $34,000 initially to $45,000 after four years—but these numbers come from a small graduating class, meaning results could vary significantly for future students. What's more notable is the relatively modest $19,500 debt load, which puts graduates in a manageable position even with humanities-level starting salaries. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 means students owe less than seven months of first-year income, a reasonable burden for a liberal arts degree.

Within Illinois, this program lands in the 60th percentile for earnings—respectable, though clearly trailing the state's elite options like University of Chicago. However, Elmhurst costs substantially less to attend (based on that lower debt), which changes the value equation. Starting at $34,000 puts graduates roughly $2,000 ahead of the typical Illinois English major, and the 33% earnings growth by year four suggests graduates develop marketable skills over time.

The key caveat is that small sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, one or two outliers could skew these numbers considerably. If your child is genuinely passionate about English and literature, Elmhurst offers a path to the field without crushing debt. Just recognize they're not getting the credential or network of a UChicago, and those first few years will require careful budgeting.