Analysis
Hofstra's English program stands out in a field often associated with challenging economics. At $35,637 in first-year earnings, graduates earn 26% more than the typical English graduate in New York and rank in the 80th percentile both statewide and nationally. This is noteworthy for a discipline where many programs struggle to reach $30,000 in initial earnings.
The debt picture is manageable at $24,485—essentially right at national and state medians for English programs. Combined with first-year earnings, this creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69, meaning graduates owe less than nine months of their initial salary. The 25% earnings growth by year four suggests decent career progression, reaching $44,369. While that's not competing with STEM fields, it's solid performance for a humanities degree, particularly near an expensive metro area.
For context, you're paying about what you'd pay elsewhere for English but getting meaningfully better outcomes than most alternatives. Hofstra's proximity to New York City likely helps with job access—publishing, communications, and corporate roles that value strong writing skills. If your child is committed to studying literature and wants to stay in the region, this represents a more financially viable path than most English programs offer.
Where Hofstra University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all english language and literature bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Hofstra 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hofstra University | $35,637 | $44,369 | +25% |
| Barnard College | $40,414 | $63,564 | +57% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | $35,838 | $58,459 | +63% |
| Syracuse University | $25,860 | $55,862 | +116% |
| New York University | $29,967 | $55,481 | +85% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
English Language and Literature bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (83 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hofstra UniversityHempstead | $55,450 | $35,637 | $44,369 | $24,485 | 0.69 |
 Colgate UniversityHamilton | $67,024 | $48,008 | $49,657 | $15,875 | 0.33 |
 Barnard CollegeNew York | $66,246 | $40,414 | $63,564 | $19,000 | 0.47 |
 Nazareth UniversityRochester | $40,880 | $36,200 | $40,794 | $27,000 | 0.75 |
 Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York | $69,045 | $35,838 | $58,459 | $25,500 | 0.71 |
 Binghamton UniversityVestal | $10,363 | $35,237 | $51,573 | $21,500 | 0.61 |
| 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 Hofstra University, approximately 24% 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 46 graduates with reported earnings and 67 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.