English Language and Literature at James Madison University

James Madison's English program shows a concerning weakness at career launch: graduates earn just $26,049 in their first year, placing them in the bottom quarter of both Virginia and national English programs. That's $5,700 below the state median and nearly $4,000 below the national average. Among Virginia's 39 English programs, JMU trails far behind the state's top performers—William & Mary and Longwood graduates earn over $40,000 right out of college, more than 50% higher than JMU.

The bright spot is growth: by year four, earnings jump to $47,945, an 84% increase that catches this cohort up considerably. However, that steep climb raises questions about whether graduates are struggling to find relevant work initially or facing geographic barriers in Harrisonburg. The $22,500 debt load is reasonable and below both state and national medians, but when your first-year salary barely covers basic living expenses, even manageable debt creates stress during those lean early years.

For parents considering this program, the first-year earnings gap is the critical issue. Your child may need financial support longer than expected, even with modest debt. If they're committed to English, look closely at Virginia's stronger programs—several offer significantly better salary outcomes for similar or lower debt.