English Language and Literature at Marist University

That dramatic 89% earnings jump tells the real story here: Marist English graduates start slow at $25,615, but by year four they're earning $48,372—well above both New York's median ($28,290) and the national benchmark ($29,967). While that puts first-year earnings in just the 24th percentile nationally, the four-year outcome suggests graduates are landing meaningful careers after an initial struggle period. The $27,000 debt load is actually quite manageable, sitting in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs leave students with more debt).

However, that small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means one or two high earners could be skewing these numbers significantly. The program ranks at the 40th percentile within New York, trailing schools like Nazareth ($36,200) and Hofstra ($35,637) by a noticeable margin, though that comparison may be measuring very different post-graduate paths.

For parents considering Marist's English program, the key question is whether your child can weather that difficult first year financially. If they can—through family support, part-time work, or moving back home—the trajectory looks promising. But if they need immediate earning power to service that debt, this path requires careful financial planning. The debt itself isn't the problem; it's the timing of when earnings actually materialize.