English Language and Literature at Indiana University-East

Indiana University-East's English program starts at $28,920—below both the state median ($30,046) and the 40th percentile among Indiana programs. That initial figure puts graduates roughly $6,000 behind peers at nearby Indiana University-Southeast and about $11,000 behind Purdue. However, with 36% earnings growth by year four, graduates catch up to $39,261, eventually surpassing many in-state competitors who start stronger.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable: at $26,991, it's just slightly above state and national medians, and the 5th percentile ranking nationally means 95% of English programs leave students with more debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.93, graduates can realistically pay down loans within a few years if they're disciplined about it. For a regional campus serving a student body where one-third receive Pell grants, this represents responsible borrowing levels.

The caveat here matters: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so one or two outliers could skew these numbers significantly. If your child is considering this program, the small sample size means you should focus less on the precise figures and more on the broader pattern—manageable debt with reasonable (if modest) earnings potential that improves meaningfully over time. For students seeking an affordable English degree close to home, this delivers on that promise, though they shouldn't expect the early-career advantages that come with degrees from Indiana's flagship programs.