English Language and Literature at Longwood University

Longwood's English program punches well above its weight, matching the first-year earnings of prestigious Virginia schools like William & Mary and UVA—a remarkable outcome for an institution with an 85% acceptance rate. At $40,167 initially and $43,340 by year four, these graduates earn significantly more than the typical English major both nationally (95th percentile) and within Virginia (80th percentile), where the state median sits at just $31,715.

The debt picture sweetens the deal: at $26,500, graduates carry slightly more than the Virginia median but less than the national benchmark, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66—manageable by most standards. Earnings grow 8% over four years, suggesting reasonable career progression. This combination of strong starting salaries and modest debt puts Longwood's program among the better English degree values in the state, particularly when compared to programs at schools with similar selectivity.

The caveat here matters: these results come from a small sample of recent graduates, so individual outcomes could vary more widely than at larger programs. But if your child is drawn to English and looking at accessible Virginia public universities, Longwood's track record suggests they've built something effective. The program delivers graduate outcomes that rival elite institutions at a fraction of the selectivity barrier.