English Language and Literature at Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College's English program shows concerning earnings relative to other Colorado options, with graduates at $25,718 initially—about $10,000 below Metropolitan State and nearly $6,000 below the state median. Among the 17 Colorado schools offering this degree, Fort Lewis ranks in just the 25th percentile, and even nearby competitors like Colorado Mesa ($33,622) significantly outpace it. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift, but the pattern is worth noting given that stronger in-state alternatives exist at similar admission selectivity.

The positive story here is debt management and growth trajectory. At $16,250, graduates carry roughly $8,000 less debt than typical Colorado English majors, creating a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats most humanities programs nationally. More importantly, earnings jump 58% by year four to $40,521—a respectable mid-career starting point that suggests the program may serve students pursuing careers where the English degree functions as a credential rather than direct vocational training.

For families prioritizing low debt over immediate earnings, Fort Lewis delivers on that front. But students who can access programs like Metropolitan State or CU Denver might see better returns from day one. The key question is whether Durango's location and smaller college environment justify accepting lower initial earnings when Denver-area schools offer both better financial outcomes and likely more robust job markets for recent graduates.