English Language and Literature at Lee University

Lee University's English program lands squarely in the middle of Tennessee's offerings—60th percentile statewide—earning graduates about $2,200 more than the typical Tennessee English major. While those first-year earnings of $31,000 look modest, they're actually slightly above the national benchmark for this field. More importantly, Lee keeps debt exceptionally low: $27,000 ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of English programs saddle students with more debt. That 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than they'll earn in their first year—a relatively manageable position for a humanities degree.

The caveat here matters: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians. Still, the debt picture provides real breathing room compared to programs at Vanderbilt or Austin Peay that might offer higher starting salaries but could come with steeper price tags. For an English degree—where graduate school, alternative career paths, or geographic mobility often factor into long-term success—graduating with manageable debt preserves options.

If your child is committed to studying English, Lee delivers middle-of-the-pack earnings with notably lower financial burden than most alternatives. That's a defensible investment for a humanities major, though the small sample means you should dig into career outcomes and alumni networks before committing.