English Language and Literature at Lesley University

Lesley University's English program produces earnings that significantly outpace national norms—its graduates earn $38,442 in their first year, roughly 28% more than the typical English graduate nationwide. That's an impressive figure for a humanities degree, ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally. However, within Massachusetts's competitive higher education landscape, the picture is more middling: these outcomes land in the 60th percentile statewide, well behind programs at Northeastern ($49,639) and the elite liberal arts colleges.

The debt load of $24,750 is essentially average for English majors, resulting in a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio—graduates owe about eight months' salary. The 20% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates gain career traction over time rather than stagnating. For an open-access institution (94% acceptance rate), these numbers represent solid outcomes, particularly for students seeking an affordable path into teaching, writing, or nonprofit work.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, which means a few high or low earners can skew the picture substantially. If your child is genuinely passionate about literature and has realistic career expectations, this represents a reasonable option—especially compared to pricier Massachusetts alternatives that don't deliver proportionally better outcomes. But if they're on the fence about English or attracted primarily by the easy admission, the state's top-tier programs justify their selectivity with significantly stronger earnings.