English Language and Literature at Kenyon College

Kenyon's English program shows a characteristic trajectory for liberal arts majors: modest starting salaries that improve significantly with time. At $30,000 in year one, graduates earn near the national median but above Ohio's typical $27,355, placing this program in the 60th percentile statewide. More encouraging is the 41% earnings growth to $42,331 by year four, suggesting graduates develop marketable skills that take time to monetize—perhaps through graduate degrees, career pivots, or building expertise in communications and publishing roles.

The financial equation here is more favorable than most English programs. Kenyon's $19,000 median debt sits well below both the national ($24,529) and Ohio ($26,000) medians for this major, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. That's a meaningful advantage: graduates owe about $6,000 less than peers at other Ohio English programs while earning slightly more. However, the 82nd percentile debt ranking nationally indicates some students carry significantly higher balances, so individual financial aid packages matter considerably.

For families considering Kenyon's prestige and strong alumni network, this program delivers solid outcomes within realistic expectations for humanities majors. The low debt load and above-average Ohio earnings make this a reasonable choice—but only if you're prepared for the typical English major reality of building earning power gradually rather than starting with immediate financial returns.