Analysis
FIU's English program starts slow but shows something rare: meaningful earnings growth. That first-year figure of $27,037 is tough—below the national median but close to Florida's average. Yet four years out, graduates reach $38,074, a 41% jump that outpaces typical trajectories for English majors. Among Florida's 30 English programs, this lands at the 60th percentile, middle-of-the-pack within the state despite ranking only 32nd nationally.
The debt picture offers real breathing room. At $18,871, graduates owe roughly $6,000 less than the national median for English programs, translating to about $65 less per month in payments. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 means manageable repayment even during those leaner first years. For a school where 40% of students receive Pell grants, keeping debt this contained matters enormously.
Here's the calculation: if your child wants to study English and stay in Florida, this delivers comparable outcomes to costlier flagship options while limiting financial risk. The early earnings lag requires planning—expect a year or two of tight budgets or parental support—but the growth curve and low debt create a path forward that many humanities programs simply don't offer.
Where Florida International University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all english language and literature bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Florida International 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida International University | $27,037 | $38,074 | +41% |
| University of Florida | $26,917 | $44,933 | +67% |
| Florida Atlantic University | $23,264 | $43,321 | +86% |
| Florida State University | $29,534 | $42,000 | +42% |
| University of Miami | $19,314 | $41,540 | +115% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
English Language and Literature bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (30 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Florida International UniversityMiami | $6,565 | $27,037 | $38,074 | $18,871 | 0.70 |
 University of South FloridaTampa | $6,410 | $30,696 | $35,281 | $20,500 | 0.67 |
 University of Central FloridaOrlando | $6,368 | $30,425 | $38,627 | $21,501 | 0.71 |
 Florida State UniversityTallahassee | $5,656 | $29,534 | $42,000 | $20,750 | 0.70 |
 University of North FloridaJacksonville | $6,389 | $27,396 | $37,692 | $16,945 | 0.62 |
 Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers | $6,118 | $27,097 | $40,276 | $16,144 | 0.60 |
| 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 Florida International University, approximately 40% 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 137 graduates with reported earnings and 130 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.