English Language and Literature at George Washington University

George Washington's English program posts impressive numbers nationally—94th percentile for earnings—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures might not represent what most students will actually experience. Still, the pattern tells an interesting story about leveraging DC's unique job market.

That $38,985 starting salary beats the national median by 30%, though it falls short of what Georgetown grads earn and sits at just the 40th percentile among DC English programs. The real story emerges by year four: earnings jump 43% to $55,736, suggesting graduates successfully pivot into communications, policy, or advocacy roles that dominate Washington's economy. The $23,250 debt load—about average nationally but higher than DC's typical $19,875—remains manageable with a 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio.

For families paying GWU's price tag, this comes down to network effects and location. If your daughter plans to stay in DC and can graduate near the median debt level, the capital's concentration of nonprofits, media outlets, and government contractors creates genuine opportunities for English majors. But that 15% Pell grant rate suggests most families here aren't relying on median outcomes—they're banking on connections and internships to exceed them. The small sample size matters: these numbers might reflect GWU's strongest outcomes rather than typical ones.