English Language and Literature at Lewis & Clark College

Lewis & Clark graduates start lower than most English majors—earning $27,000 in their first year puts them below both Oregon's median ($28,836) and the national average ($29,967). Within Oregon's 17 English programs, this ranks only at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Willamette and Oregon State by $2,000-5,000 annually. The silver lining? Earnings jump 40% to nearly $38,000 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in Portland's competitive job market.

The debt picture is relatively reasonable: $25,750 is slightly above Oregon's median but means graduates owe roughly what they'll earn in their first year—a manageable ratio for humanities majors. Still, Portland's high cost of living means that $27,000 first-year salary will stretch thin while making loan payments. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) gives these numbers some reliability, though outcomes could vary.

For a selective liberal arts college (75% admission rate, 1321 SAT average), these earnings underwhelm. Parents should understand they're not paying premium tuition for premium outcomes—at least not initially. If your child is committed to English and the Lewis & Clark experience, know they'll likely spend their twenties earning less than peers at Oregon's public universities, though the gap narrows over time. The value proposition depends heavily on factors this data can't capture: smaller classes, Portland connections, or graduate school ambitions.